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Checks on 700 sets of rail points Checks on 700 sets of rail points
(about 2 hours later)
Up to 700 sets of points across the entire rail network are to be checked as a "precaution" following the Cumbria crash, Network Rail has said.Up to 700 sets of points across the entire rail network are to be checked as a "precaution" following the Cumbria crash, Network Rail has said.
Investigators earlier said the accident, in which a woman died, could have been caused by a points failure.Investigators earlier said the accident, in which a woman died, could have been caused by a points failure.
Experts are focusing on one set that the Virgin Trains Pendolino ran across before derailing near Kendal.Experts are focusing on one set that the Virgin Trains Pendolino ran across before derailing near Kendal.
Rail expert Christian Wolmar told the BBC that the points could have been defective with loose bolts and nuts. Rail expert Christian Wolmar told the BBC that the points could have been defective with loose nuts and bolts.
Margaret Masson, 84, of Glasgow, died and eight other people were seriously hurt when the London to Glasgow train derailed at Grayrigg, near Kendal, at about 95mph on Friday evening.
Network Rail said engineers had already started the nationwide safety checks of between 600 and 700 sets of points.Network Rail said engineers had already started the nationwide safety checks of between 600 and 700 sets of points.
"As a precautionary measure we are beginning to check between 600 and 700 sets of points across the country," a Network Rail spokesman said.
How crash unfolded How crash unfolded
The checks are to be carried out on high-speed rail lines on older tracks where trains travel above 85 miles per hour.The checks are to be carried out on high-speed rail lines on older tracks where trains travel above 85 miles per hour.
The spokesman said Network Rail, which is responsible for maintaining track, hoped to have the checks completed within the next 24 hours. Network Rail, which is responsible for maintaining track, hopes to complete the checks within the next 24 hours.
Christian Wolmar told BBC News 24 that he understood the circumstances were thought to be similar to those in the Potters Bar crash. Christian Wolmar told BBC News 24 he understood the circumstances were thought to be similar to those in the Potters Bar crash.
Seven people died and 76 were injured when poorly maintained points derailed a train at Potters Bar, Hertfordshire, in May 2002. In that crash, in May 2002, seven people died and 76 were injured when poorly maintained points derailed a train.
"From what I understand, they have found these points in a similar condition to those at Potters Bar, with some missing nuts and the stretcher bar which keeps the rails properly apart apparently loosened." "From what I understand, they have found these points in a similar condition to those at Potters Bar, with some missing nuts and the stretcher bar which keeps the rails properly apart apparently loosened," he said.
It suddenly appeared to hit something and then lurched very, very badly from side to side in a very dramatic way Caroline Thomson, passenger href="/1/hi/scotland/6392055.stm">Crash closes main rail line We are devastated by the death of our nan Margaret Jones, granddaughter of Margaret Masson href="/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/6393365.stm">Family 'distraught'
Mr Wolmar said it was up to Network Rail to ensure that the points were properly maintained and that "things like loose bolts, loose bolts and nuts, were tightened up regularly".Mr Wolmar said it was up to Network Rail to ensure that the points were properly maintained and that "things like loose bolts, loose bolts and nuts, were tightened up regularly".
He added: "But there is also the possibility that these nuts and bolts were maintained in the wrong way, or not sufficiently maintained, and that's why they were in that condition."He added: "But there is also the possibility that these nuts and bolts were maintained in the wrong way, or not sufficiently maintained, and that's why they were in that condition."
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. The chief executive of Network Rail, John Armitt, acknowledged that there might have been a points failure. He said the points were last serviced earlier this month, and that track maintenance was carried out by Network Rail employees.
Virgin boss Sir Richard Branson said the driver of the London to Glasgow service, Ian Black, was "a hero". CONTACT NUMBERS Cumbria Police helpline: 0800 056 0146Police family liaison centre: 0800 40 50 40 National Rail Enquiries: 08457 48 49 50 class="" href="/1/hi/scotland/6392055.stm">Advice for passengers
"He could have tried to get back and protect himself but he didn't and he has ended up quite badly injured," Sir Richard said. Some 22 people, including Mrs Masson's daughter and son-in-law, Margaret and Richard Langley, were taken to hospital after the accident at 2015 GMT on Friday, while dozens more were "walking wounded".
Mr Black, 46, a former police officer from Scotland, suffered a broken collar bone and a broken bone in his neck, his union ASLEF has said. Margaret Jones, 41, the granddaughter of Mrs Masson, from Cardonald in Glasgow, said the family was "devastated" by her death and the fact that her parents were in hospital.
"He really is a reluctant hero," a spokesman said.
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".
Margaret Jones, 41, the granddaughter of Mrs Masson, from Cardonald in Glasgow, said she was devastated by her death.
British Transport Police incident officer Supt Philip Trendall 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.
CONTACT NUMBERS Cumbria Police helpline: 0800 056 0146Police family liaison centre: 0800 40 50 40 National Rail Enquiries: 08457 48 49 50
Muddy conditions underfoot 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.
"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," he said.
One of the rail carriages was forced upright following the crash
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 the points were last serviced earlier this month, and that track maintenance was carried out by Network Rail employees, not a private contractor.
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 comments
Of the eight patients who were seriously injured, five are 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. The driver of the train, Ian Black, suffered a broken collar bone and a broken bone in his neck, his union Aslef has said.
Both the union and Virgin boss Sir Richard Branson said the former police officer, 46, was "a hero".
"He could have tried to get back and protect himself but he didn't and he has ended up quite badly injured," Sir Richard said.
British Transport Police incident officer Supt Philip Trendall 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.
Train services from the south are currently terminating at Lancaster and Preston, while train services from the north are terminating at Carlisle, and there is a bus service in between.
Passengers who intend to travel on the West Coast Main Line should check the latest information with National Rail Enquiries.
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