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Rail points checked after crash | Rail points checked after crash |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Up to 700 sets of points across the entire rail network are being checked following the Cumbria train crash. | Up to 700 sets of points across the entire rail network are being checked following the Cumbria train crash. |
One woman died in the crash near Kendal on Friday evening. Eight people were seriously hurt and remain in hospital. | One woman died in the crash near Kendal on Friday evening. Eight people were seriously hurt and remain in hospital. |
The investigation is focusing on a set of points which the Virgin Trains Pendolino ran across before derailing. | The investigation is focusing on a set of points which the Virgin Trains Pendolino ran across before derailing. |
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. | 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. |
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, 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. |
How crash unfolded | How crash unfolded |
The checks are being made on sections of older tracks on which trains travel above 85mph. | The checks are being made on sections of older tracks on which trains travel above 85mph. |
Points are where the line divides and the train is sent either to the left or to the right onto a different track. | |
Rail expert Christian Wolmar told BBC News 24 he understood the circumstances of the crash were similar to those in the Potters Bar crash. | Rail expert Christian Wolmar told BBC News 24 he understood the circumstances of the crash were 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 who died 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 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. | 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 | CONTACT NUMBERS Cumbria Police helpline: 0800 056 0146Police family liaison centre: 0800 40 50 40 National Rail Enquiries: 08457 48 49 50 |
Police said it was "little short of a miracle" that more people did not die in the accident. | Police said it was "little short of a miracle" that more people did not die in the accident. |
Jonathan Duckworth, chairman of the Paddington Survivors Group, told BBC Radio Five Live he was also surprised so few people were seriously hurt. | Jonathan Duckworth, chairman of the Paddington Survivors Group, told BBC Radio Five Live he was also surprised so few people were seriously hurt. |
"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. | "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. |
Relatives of the woman who died - 84-year-old Margaret Masson, of Glasgow - have spoken of their loss. | 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. | 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. | 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. | "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. | 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. | 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 tracks. | 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." |
Virgin Trains said the line may not reopen to passengers services until during the week beginning 5 March. | Virgin Trains said the line may not reopen to passengers services until during the week beginning 5 March. |
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. | 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. |
Passengers who intend to travel on the West Coast Main Line can check the latest information with National Rail Enquiries. | Passengers who intend to travel on the West Coast Main Line can check the latest information with National Rail Enquiries. |
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 100 100 | You 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 video | Click 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. |