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Checks on 700 sets of rail points Rail points checked after crash
(about 7 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 being checked following the Cumbria train crash.
Investigators earlier said the accident, in which a woman died, could have been caused by a points failure. One woman died in the crash near Kendal on Friday evening. Eight people were seriously hurt and remain in hospital.
Experts are focusing on one set that the Virgin Trains Pendolino ran across before derailing near Kendal. The investigation is focusing on a set of points which the Virgin Trains Pendolino ran across before derailing.
Rail expert Christian Wolmar told the BBC that the points could have been defective with loose nuts and bolts. One rail expert said the points could have had loose nuts and bolts, and drew comparisons with the 2002 Potters Bar crash which killed seven people.
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, which is responsible for maintaining track, said engineers hoped to complete checks of between 600 and 700 sets of points by the end of the day.
Network Rail said engineers had already started the nationwide safety checks of between 600 and 700 sets of points.
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 being made on sections of older tracks on which trains travel above 85mph.
Network Rail, which is responsible for maintaining track, hopes to complete the checks within the next 24 hours. Rail expert Christian Wolmar told BBC News 24 he understood the circumstances of the crash were 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.
In that crash, in May 2002, seven people died and 76 were injured when poorly maintained points derailed a train.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," he said. "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.
We are devastated by the death of our nan Margaret Jones, granddaughter of Margaret Masson Family 'distraught' We are devastated by the death of our Nan Margaret Jones, granddaughter of Margaret Masson who died 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 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."
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. 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.
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 CONTACT NUMBERS Cumbria Police helpline: 0800 056 0146Police family liaison centre: 0800 40 50 40 National Rail Enquiries: 08457 48 49 50
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". Police said it was "little short of a miracle" that more people did not die in the accident.
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. Jonathan Duckworth, chairman of the Paddington Survivors Group, told BBC Radio Five Live he was also surprised so few people were seriously hurt.
Of the eight patients who were seriously injured, five are improving in hospital, while three remain in a serious condition. "I think that's a testimony really to the rolling stock and how design changes have made the rolling stock very much safer than it was say 20, 30, 40, 50 years ago," he said.
Passengers suffered a mixture of head, back, neck, leg and some internal injuries. Relatives of the woman who died - 84-year-old Margaret Masson, of Glasgow - have spoken of their loss.
Mrs Masson's daughter and son-in-law, Margaret and Richard Langley, were hurt in the crash and are still in hospital.
Her granddaughter Margaret Jones, 41, said the family was "distraught" by events.
"We are devastated by the death of our Nan and about Mum and Dad being so very poorly," she said.
A total of 22 people were taken to three different hospitals after the accident. Dozens more people received minor injuries.
Of the eight patients who were seriously injured, five are improving while three remain in a serious condition.
The driver of the train, Ian Black, suffered a broken collar bone and a broken bone in his neck, his union Aslef has said.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".Both the union and Virgin boss Sir Richard Branson said the former police officer, 46, was "a hero".
Mr Black had come around a corner, Sir Richard said, to find the line defective before the train started to leave the line. Mr Black had come around a corner, Sir Richard said, to find the line defective before the train started to leave the tracks.
"He's carried on sitting in his carriage for nearly half a mile, running the train on the stone - he could have tried to get back and protect himself but he didn't, and he's ended up quite badly injured. "He's carried on sitting in his carriage for nearly half a mile, running the train on the stone - he could have tried to get back and protect himself but he didn't, and he's ended up quite badly injured."
"He is a definitely a hero. In the sober light of day we will have to see if he can be recognised as such." Virgin Trains said the line may not reopen to passengers services until during the week beginning 5 March.
Sir Richard also said the strength of the Pendolino train had helped to limit the number of casualties. In the meantime, train services from the south are terminating at Lancaster and Preston, while train services from the north are terminating at Carlisle, and there is a replacement bus service between the two.
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. Passengers who intend to travel on the West Coast Main Line can check the latest information with National Rail Enquiries.
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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