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Crash inquiry to focus on points Crash inquiry to focus on points
(20 minutes later)
The inquiry into the Cumbria rail crash in which one person died will focus on a set of points, police have said.The inquiry into the Cumbria rail crash in which one person died will focus on a set of points, police have said.
Chief Superintendent Martyn Ripley of British Transport Police said the points could prove "significant".Chief Superintendent Martyn Ripley of British Transport Police said the points could prove "significant".
An eighty-year-old woman was killed and five other passengers were seriously hurt when the train derailed.An eighty-year-old woman was killed and five other passengers were seriously hurt when the train derailed.
Several carriages were left on their sides after a Virgin London to Glasgow service crashed at Grayrigg, near Kendal, at 2015 GMT, at about 95mph. Several carriages were left on their sides after the Virgin London to Glasgow service crashed at Grayrigg, near Kendal, at about 95mph.
Police said 22 people went to hospital and dozens more were "walking wounded". Police said 22 people went to hospital after the accident at 2015 GMT on Friday, while dozens more were "walking wounded".
The driver of the train was among the injured, but was not seriously hurt.
Chief Supt Ripley said he was amazed there had not been more fatalities. "It is little short of a miracle," he said.Chief Supt Ripley said he was amazed there had not been more fatalities. "It is little short of a miracle," he said.
He said his officers were working throughout the train with the Rail Accident Investigation Branch and Her Majesty's Railway Inspectorate.
HAVE YOUR SAY It's very sad to see such an incident on what has become a very safe network Ibrahim, Bolton Send us your comments
"Our inquiries have led us to believe that a set of points could be significant in this inquiry, although there is a lot more work to do and we are waiting for further expert opinion," he said.
"We are looking for them to give us an early indication of what caused this accident although it is far too early to tell at this point.
"Our inquiry at the moment is focusing on a set of points."
He also confirmed maintenance had been carried out on the track during the past week.He also confirmed maintenance had been carried out on the track during the past week.
HAVE YOUR SAY
It's very sad to see such an incident on what has become a very safe network
Ibrahim, Bolton
Send us your comments
Charles Belcher, managing director of Virgin West Coast, said the train's safety record had been closely checked.Charles Belcher, managing director of Virgin West Coast, said the train's safety record had been closely checked.
"We've examined the safety record of that particular train over the last two weeks to see if there's been any faults, any blips that we can put down to a problem of maintenance and safety, and it got a completely clean bill of health.""We've examined the safety record of that particular train over the last two weeks to see if there's been any faults, any blips that we can put down to a problem of maintenance and safety, and it got a completely clean bill of health."
One of the passengers, BBC executive Caroline Thomson, said the train "did a sort of bump".One of the passengers, BBC executive Caroline Thomson, said the train "did a sort of bump".
"It suddenly appeared to hit something and then lurched very, very badly from side to side in a very dramatic way.""It suddenly appeared to hit something and then lurched very, very badly from side to side in a very dramatic way."
The train had about 120 people on board, Supt Jon Rush, of Cumbria Police, told an earlier news conference. According to police the train had about 100 passengers on board, 22 of whom had been taken to three hospitals.
He said 22 passengers had been taken to three hospitals. The Royal Lancaster Infirmary and the Royal Preston Hospital took the most serious casualties. A total of five people had serious injuries. The Royal Lancaster Infirmary and the Royal Preston Hospital took the most serious casualties.
The line where the crash happened could be closed for five or six days, said Supt Rush. He added that investigators were trying to establish the cause of the crash. Police also said the line where the crash happened could be closed for five or six days.
The leader of the Rail Maritime and Transport Union, Bob Crow, told ITV News: "All our indications are that people on the scene are saying that it was a points failure.
"And I think people can dismiss the idea that it was a cow on the track or vandalism."
CONTACT NUMBERS Cumbria Police helpline: 0800 056 0146Police family liaison centre: 0800 40 50 40 National Rail Enquiries: 08457 48 49 50CONTACT NUMBERS Cumbria Police helpline: 0800 056 0146Police family liaison centre: 0800 40 50 40 National Rail Enquiries: 08457 48 49 50
All but one of the train's carriages had totally come off the tracks, a Cumbria Ambulance Service spokeswoman said.All but one of the train's carriages had totally come off the tracks, a Cumbria Ambulance Service spokeswoman said.
Speaking at just after midnight she added that all nine train carriages had been cleared of passengers. She added that all nine train carriages had been cleared of passengers and that 65 people with minor injuries had been treated at the scene and a nearby farm, before being taken to the Castle Green Hotel in Kendal.
She said there were 65 people with minor injuries who were treated at the scene and a nearby farm, before being taken to the Castle Green Hotel in Kendal. Emergency crews said they had faced difficult conditions, with pouring rain, waterlogged ground and narrow country lanes around the crash site.
Emergency crews said they faced difficult conditions, with pouring rain, waterlogged ground and narrow country lanes around the crash site.
'Very strange sound''Very strange sound'
The Pendolino tilting trains have been introduced by Virgin over the last three years and have a top speed of 125 mph.The Pendolino tilting trains have been introduced by Virgin over the last three years and have a top speed of 125 mph.
Network Rail said the line speed for the area where the crash took place was about 95 mph.Network Rail said the line speed for the area where the crash took place was about 95 mph.
Virgin Trains have suspended services between Lancaster and Lockerbie, with replacement buses operating. Trains are running as normal to and from Lockerbie, and between London and Lancaster.Virgin Trains have suspended services between Lancaster and Lockerbie, with replacement buses operating. Trains are running as normal to and from Lockerbie, and between London and Lancaster.
A spokesman said passengers travelling between Scotland and London could use GNER East Coast trains instead.A spokesman said passengers travelling between Scotland and London could use GNER East Coast trains instead.
The train rolled down an embankment after derailingThe train rolled down an embankment after derailing
Those living close to the site described hearing the crash.Those living close to the site described hearing the crash.
Adam Pashley, 19, said: "It was one hell of a bang but I never thought it would be a serious incident.Adam Pashley, 19, said: "It was one hell of a bang but I never thought it would be a serious incident.
"About 15 minutes later I was looking out of my bedroom window and suddenly I started to see police and ambulance crews.""About 15 minutes later I was looking out of my bedroom window and suddenly I started to see police and ambulance crews."
Donald Potter said: "My house is only about 120 yards from the track and I was sitting at my desk when I heard a very strange sound, it was completely unidentifiable, like nothing I have ever heard before, and lasted for about ten seconds."Donald Potter said: "My house is only about 120 yards from the track and I was sitting at my desk when I heard a very strange sound, it was completely unidentifiable, like nothing I have ever heard before, and lasted for about ten seconds."
People worried about friends or relatives on the train are asked to ring a Cumbria Police helpline on 0800 056 0146 or a British Transport Police family liaison centre on 0800 40 50 40.People worried about friends or relatives on the train are asked to ring a Cumbria Police helpline on 0800 056 0146 or a British Transport Police family liaison centre on 0800 40 50 40.
Passengers wanting to travel through Cumbria, meanwhile, can ring National Rail Enquiries on 08457 48 49 50 before starting journeys.Passengers wanting to travel through Cumbria, meanwhile, can ring National Rail Enquiries on 08457 48 49 50 before starting journeys.


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