This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/6392197.stm

The article has changed 25 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 20 Version 21
Crash inquiry to focus on points Crash inquiry to focus on points
(about 1 hour later)
The inquiry into the Cumbria rail crash in which one person died will focus on a set of points, investigators say. Investigators say the Cumbria rail crash, in which one woman died, could have been caused by a set of points.
The victim has been named as Margaret Masson, 84, of Glasgow. Eight other people were seriously hurt. Margaret Masson, 84, of Glasgow, died and eight other people were seriously hurt when a Virgin train derailed at Grayrigg, near Kendal, at about 95mph.
Several carriages were left on their sides after the Virgin London to Glasgow service derailed at Grayrigg, near Kendal, at about 95mph.
Network Rail, which is responsible for maintaining track, said it was now checking points in the crash area.Network Rail, which is responsible for maintaining track, said it was now checking points in the crash area.
Superintendent Philip Trendall of the British Transport Police said it was up to Network Rail to decide when to reopen the line, but he warned it could take a week or more to complete the crash inquiry. Virgin boss Sir Richard Branson said the driver of the London to Glasgow service, Ian Black, was "a hero".
Muddy conditions under foot and the need to build a temporary road to allow heavy-lifting gear on to the scene were proving "real challenges" to the investigation, he said. He said: "He could have tried to get back and protect himself but he didn't and he has ended up quite badly injured."
Police said 22 people went to hospital after the accident at 2015 GMT on Friday, while dozens more were "walking wounded".
How crash unfolded How crash unfolded
The driver of the train, Ian Black from Scotland, was among those seriously injured. Mr Black, 46, a former police officer from Scotland, suffered a serious neck injury.
Consultant Eymon Jundi, who is treating him at the Royal Preston Hospital, said he was in "very good spirits", but would probably spend "a week or 10 days" in hospital.Consultant Eymon Jundi, who is treating him at the Royal Preston Hospital, said he was in "very good spirits", but would probably spend "a week or 10 days" in hospital.
Thomas Edwards, who is leading the Rail Accident Investigation Branch's inquiry, said he agreed with the police that the main focus of the investigation was a set of points. Police said 22 people, including Mrs Masson's daughter and son-in-law, Margaret and Richard Langley, went to hospital after the accident at 2015 GMT on Friday, while dozens more were "walking wounded".
After visiting the scene, Mr Edwards said: "We've been and inspected the train, the track and, in particular, we have been focussing our investigations on a set of points in a cutting. Margaret Jones, 41, the granddaughter of Mrs Masson, from Cardonald in Glasgow, said she was devastated by her death.
"At the moment we are looking at that to see what it is we can learn from our investigation into those points at the moment."
'Built like a tank''Built like a tank'
Virgin boss Sir Richard Branson arrived at the scene of the accident after returning from a holiday. British Transport Police said it was up to Network Rail and the train operators to decide when to reopen the line, but he warned it could take a week or more to complete the crash inquiry.
Muddy conditions under foot and the need to build a temporary road to allow heavy-lifting gear on to the scene were proving "real challenges" to the investigation, he said.
Thomas Edwards, who is leading the Rail Accident Investigation Branch's inquiry, said he agreed with the police that the main focus of the investigation was a set of points.
Mr Edwards said: "We've been and inspected the train, the track and, in particular, we have been focussing our investigations on a set of points in a cutting."
'Points failure'
Sir Richard arrived at the scene of the accident after returning from a holiday.
He said he had been told that points were to blame, and added it was a "sad day".He said he had been told that points were to blame, and added it was a "sad day".
It suddenly appeared to hit something and then lurched very, very badly from side to side in a very dramatic way Caroline Thomson, passenger Crash closes main rail lineIt suddenly appeared to hit something and then lurched very, very badly from side to side in a very dramatic way Caroline Thomson, passenger Crash closes main rail line
"Everyone is going to have to learn from this incident and Network Rail are going to have to look at this track problem and make sure nothing like this ever happens again," he said."Everyone is going to have to learn from this incident and Network Rail are going to have to look at this track problem and make sure nothing like this ever happens again," he said.
He also said the Pendolino was "built like a tank" and that the accident could have been much worse if it had involved an old train.He also said the Pendolino was "built like a tank" and that the accident could have been much worse if it had involved an old train.
Sir Richard added the line could be re-opened in two weeks and described Mr Black as "definitely a hero".
The chief executive of Network Rail, John Armitt, acknowledged that there might have been a points failure.The chief executive of Network Rail, John Armitt, acknowledged that there might have been a points failure.
He said: "A points failure can obviously be due to various causes, but clearly there is a possibility that it has been something which has occurred which Network Rail is responsible for, but at the moment I cannot say that.He said: "A points failure can obviously be due to various causes, but clearly there is a possibility that it has been something which has occurred which Network Rail is responsible for, but at the moment I cannot say that.
"I hope that's not the case but I have to live with the reality that it could be something that has gone wrong under our watch.""I hope that's not the case but I have to live with the reality that it could be something that has gone wrong under our watch."
He said the points were last serviced earlier this month, and that track maintenance was carried out by Network Rail employees, not a private contractor.He said the points were last serviced earlier this month, and that track maintenance was carried out by Network Rail employees, not a private contractor.
When the train derailed, all but one of the carriages slipped down the embankment.
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
One came to rest in the air at a sharp angle, while the front of the train doubled back on the carriages. Chief Superintendent Martyn Ripley of British Transport Police said he was amazed there had not been more fatalities among the 100 passengers on board.
Chief Superintendent Martyn Ripley of British Transport Police said the points could prove "significant". "It is little short of a miracle," he said.
He also said he was amazed there had not been more fatalities among the 100 passengers on board. "It is little short of a miracle," he said. It was "far too early" to determine if there would be a criminal investigation into the accident, said Mr Ripley.
He said his officers were working throughout the train with the Rail Accident Investigation Branch and Her Majesty's Railway Inspectorate. Bob Crow, general secretary of the Rail Maritime and Transport Union, said that if points failure was the cause there must be an investigation into any management failings.
One of the rail carriages was forced upright following the crashOne of the rail carriages was forced upright following the crash
Secretary of State for Transport Douglas Alexander offered his sympathies to both those involved in the crash and their families, and said "priority must be given" to allow the Rail Accident Investigation Branch to carry out its work. He said the points concerned would only be used to switch traffic in an emergency or for engineering work and had not been operated since February 15.
Bob Crow, general secretary of the Rail Maritime and Transport Union, said the inquiry must be allowed to find out the full facts of what happened. The points would be operated locally and only after being given permission and released by senior staff.
But he added: "If points failure is the cause there must be a robust investigation into the management system's failings that led to it and there must be no attempt simply to scapegoat staff."
Five people improving
The 22 passengers needing hospital treatment were taken to three hospitals, with the Royal Lancaster Infirmary and the Royal Preston Hospital admitting the most serious casualties.The 22 passengers needing hospital treatment were taken to three hospitals, with the Royal Lancaster Infirmary and the Royal Preston Hospital admitting the most serious casualties.
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 commentsHAVE 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
Of the eight patients who were seriously injured, five are said to be improving in hospital, while three remain in a serious condition. Of the eight patients who were seriously injured, five are improving in hospital, while three remain in a serious condition.
Passengers suffered a mixture of head, back, neck, leg and some internal injuries.Passengers suffered a mixture of head, back, neck, leg and some internal injuries.
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.
The accident happened seven miles (11 kilometres) from the scene of a disaster at Tebay in February 2004, where four railway workers were killed by a runaway wagon, also on the West Coast Main Line. Seven people died and 76 were injured when poorly maintained points derailed a train at Potters Bar, Hertfordshire in May 2002.
The Grayrigg accident happened seven miles (11 kilometres) from the scene of a disaster at Tebay in February 2004, where four railway workers were killed by a runaway wagon, also on the West Coast Main Line.
Are you in the area? Have you been involved? Send us your accounts using the form below.Are you in the area? Have you been involved? Send us your accounts using the form below.
You can send your pictures and moving footage to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 07725 100 100You can send your pictures and moving footage to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 07725 100 100
Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and videoClick here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video
When taking photos or filming please do not endanger yourself or others, take unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.When taking photos or filming please do not endanger yourself or others, take unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.
Name:
 Name: