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Train crash report due 'in days' Train crash report due on Monday
(20 minutes later)
An early report into the Cumbria train crash is likely to be published within the next few days, investigators say. An early report into the Cumbria train crash, in which one woman died, is set to be released on Monday.
Investigators are spending the day shoring up the road leading away from the crash site to allow heavy lifting gear to gain access to the carriages.Investigators are spending the day shoring up the road leading away from the crash site to allow heavy lifting gear to gain access to the carriages.
The inquiry is focusing on a set of points which the Virgin Trains Pendolino ran across before derailing.The inquiry is focusing on a set of points which the Virgin Trains Pendolino ran across before derailing.
Network Rail boss John Armitt said checks on other points had so far found nothing of concern.Network Rail boss John Armitt said checks on other points had so far found nothing of concern.
Up to 700 set of points across the entire rail network are being checked following the crash near Kendal, in which one woman died Up to 700 set of points across the entire network are being checked following Friday's crash near Kendal.
A Rail Accident Investigation Branch spokeswoman said the early investigation report was likely to be published within "the next few days". Mr Armitt said he expected the initial findings of the investigation to be given to him on Monday.
How crash unfolded How crash unfolded
The crash site is only accessed via narrow rural roads and rain overnight has also caused the scene to become very muddy underfoot.
BBC transport correspondent Tom Symonds says it is likely to set out the basic facts of the crash but its unlikely to reach any firm conclusions about the causes.BBC transport correspondent Tom Symonds says it is likely to set out the basic facts of the crash but its unlikely to reach any firm conclusions about the causes.
Meanwhile, there have been calls for an independent public inquiry into Friday's crash. Meanwhile there have been calls for an independent public inquiry into the crash.
Louise Christian, the solicitor who represented victims of the Potters Bar crash which killed seven people in 2002, said not enough had been done since then to improve rail safety.Louise Christian, the solicitor who represented victims of the Potters Bar crash which killed seven people in 2002, said not enough had been done since then to improve rail safety.
"I'm really worried that this is a re-run of Potters Bar... and there's never been an effective investigation into that crash," she told the BBC."I'm really worried that this is a re-run of Potters Bar... and there's never been an effective investigation into that crash," she told the BBC.
She said that instead of an inquest into the deaths of the victims of the Potters Bar crash, due to be held on 23 April, there should be "a public inquiry into both Potters Bar and this new train crash and to look at the maintenance of the track and the points".She said that instead of an inquest into the deaths of the victims of the Potters Bar crash, due to be held on 23 April, there should be "a public inquiry into both Potters Bar and this new train crash and to look at the maintenance of the track and the points".
Former Transport Secretary Alistair Darling ruled out a public inquiry into Potters Bar but Network Rail and the line maintenance company Jarvis later admitted civil liability in relation to the crash.
Investigators have been assessing the train wreckageInvestigators have been assessing the train wreckage
Her comments came after rail expert Christian Wolmar drew comparisons between the two crashes. Ms Christian's comments came after rail expert Christian Wolmar drew comparisons between the two crashes.
He told BBC News 24 the points on which the Cumbria crash probe is focusing could have had loose bolts. He told BBC News 24 the points on which the Cumbria crash probe was focusing could have had loose bolts.
"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.
Serious injuries Muddy conditions
Shadow chancellor George Osborne told Sky News the Conservatives had concerns over whether there was enough cooperation between rail companies and those responsible for maintaining the track.Shadow chancellor George Osborne told Sky News the Conservatives had concerns over whether there was enough cooperation between rail companies and those responsible for maintaining the track.
"We're looking at whether in the future there should be... a much closer link between the people who own the track and the people who run the trains," he said."We're looking at whether in the future there should be... a much closer link between the people who own the track and the people who run the trains," he said.
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
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 Sunday.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 Sunday.
Mr Armitt acknowledged that there might have been a points failure. He said the points were last serviced earlier this month.Mr Armitt acknowledged that there might have been a points failure. He said the points were last serviced earlier this month.
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.Points are where the line divides and the train is sent either to the left or to the right onto a different track.
Driver injured The checks are being made on sections of older tracks on which trains travel above 85mph.
Margaret Masson, 84, of Glasgow, died after the crash. Eight people were seriously injured. Work at the crash site itself, which is only accessed via narrow rural roads, has been hampered by rain overnight which has caused the scene to become very muddy underfoot.
Driver in hospital
Margaret Masson, 84, of Glasgow, died after the crash, and eight people were seriously injured. Five of those are said to be improving, while a total of 11 remain in hospital.
Mrs Masson's daughter and son-in-law, Margaret and Richard Langley, 61 and 63 respectively, are being treated at the Royal Preston hospital.
Consultant Andrew Curran told the BBC they were in a "serious but stable" condition.
The driver of the train, Iain Black, 46, suffered a broken collar bone and a broken bone in his neck, his union Aslef has said.The driver of the train, Iain Black, 46, suffered a broken collar bone and a broken bone in his neck, his union Aslef has said.
He is expected to remain in hospital for about a month.He is expected to remain in hospital for about a month.
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.
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