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No charges over fatal rail crash | No charges over fatal rail crash |
(about 2 hours later) | |
No one will face charges over the fatal Grayrigg train crash in Cumbria, British Transport Police have said. | |
The last of three men, from Preston, Lancashire, arrested on suspicion of manslaughter, has been released from police bail without charge. | The last of three men, from Preston, Lancashire, arrested on suspicion of manslaughter, has been released from police bail without charge. |
The February 2007 crash, involving a Virgin train, killed 84-year-old Margaret Masson and injured 22 others. | |
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said there was "insufficient evidence" to proceed with the investigation. | |
Investigations showed faulty points were to blame for the tragedy. | |
The train driver, Iain Black, from Dumbarton, suffered multiple injuries as the London to Glasgow Virgin Pendolino train careered down an embankment. | The train driver, Iain Black, from Dumbarton, suffered multiple injuries as the London to Glasgow Virgin Pendolino train careered down an embankment. |
A British Transport Police (BTP) spokeswoman said: "BTP can confirm that, following advice from the CPS, there will be no further action taken against the individuals arrested in relation to the Grayrigg incident. | A British Transport Police (BTP) spokeswoman said: "BTP can confirm that, following advice from the CPS, there will be no further action taken against the individuals arrested in relation to the Grayrigg incident. |
"They have, therefore, been released from police bail." The arrests were always a travesty and nothing more than a fishing expedition by BTP Bob Crow, RMT union | |
An initial report by the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) blamed a faulty set of points for the crash. | An initial report by the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) blamed a faulty set of points for the crash. |
A later inquiry by Network Rail, released in September last year, found systematic failures in track patrolling and management. | A later inquiry by Network Rail, released in September last year, found systematic failures in track patrolling and management. |
Three rail workers were arrested, a 60-year-old and a 64-year-old, both from Tebay Cumbria, and the third, a 46-year-old from Preston, Lancashire, following the report. | Three rail workers were arrested, a 60-year-old and a 64-year-old, both from Tebay Cumbria, and the third, a 46-year-old from Preston, Lancashire, following the report. |
The men from Tebay were released without charge in November. | The men from Tebay were released without charge in November. |
Bob Crow, general secretary of the RMT union, which represents the rail workers, said: "The arrests were always a travesty and nothing more than a fishing expedition by BTP. | |
"The shambolic attempt to finger individual staff was aimed at diverting attention from systematic management failings, highlighted by the investigation and the contract culture that still persists. | "The shambolic attempt to finger individual staff was aimed at diverting attention from systematic management failings, highlighted by the investigation and the contract culture that still persists. |
"Lessons have not been learnt because safety is still under attack because of budget cuts and a massive squeeze on spending." | "Lessons have not been learnt because safety is still under attack because of budget cuts and a massive squeeze on spending." |
A CPS spokesman said that no charges were brought due to "insufficient evidence". | |
He said the CPS had also considered whether charges should be brought for gross negligence manslaughter against three individuals. |
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