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| Rail bosses say network is safe | Rail bosses say network is safe |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| Passengers are being reassured that the rail network is safe following checks on points similar to those at the centre of the Cumbria train crash. | Passengers are being reassured that the rail network is safe following checks on points similar to those at the centre of the Cumbria train crash. |
| Network Rail said it found nothing of concern after checking a sample of around 700 points across the country. | Network Rail said it found nothing of concern after checking a sample of around 700 points across the country. |
| Firm conclusions about the cause of the crash, in which an 84-year-old woman died, are unlikely to be revealed for some months. | Firm conclusions about the cause of the crash, in which an 84-year-old woman died, are unlikely to be revealed for some months. |
| But accident investigators will release an initial report on Monday. | But accident investigators will release an initial report on Monday. |
| The inquiry is focused on a set of points which the Virgin Pendolino train ran across before Friday's accident. | The inquiry is focused on a set of points which the Virgin Pendolino train ran across before Friday's accident. |
| Network Rail has acknowledged that there might have been a points failure and took the precautionary measure of checking around 700 of 4-5,000 similar sets of points around the country. | Network Rail has acknowledged that there might have been a points failure and took the precautionary measure of checking around 700 of 4-5,000 similar sets of points around the country. |
| The points, known as Westinghouse type 63, are generally only used in emergencies and normally have a stretcher or fixed bar which keeps the rails apart. | |
| 'Logistical nightmare' | 'Logistical nightmare' |
| John Armitt, Network Rail's chief executive, said checks on other points had so far found nothing of concern. | John Armitt, Network Rail's chief executive, said checks on other points had so far found nothing of concern. |
| He said: "The additional checks were a precautionary measure that any responsible organisation would carry out. | He said: "The additional checks were a precautionary measure that any responsible organisation would carry out. |
| "Passengers should be reassured that our investigation has shown nothing out of the ordinary at any location we have visited." | "Passengers should be reassured that our investigation has shown nothing out of the ordinary at any location we have visited." |
| He added: "Our maintenance teams will continue with the day and night job of maintenance, including the visual inspections of points on a regular basis." | He added: "Our maintenance teams will continue with the day and night job of maintenance, including the visual inspections of points on a regular basis." |
| Mr Armitt said he expected the initial findings of the Department of Transport's Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) to be given to him on Monday. | Mr Armitt said he expected the initial findings of the Department of Transport's Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) to be given to him on Monday. |
| How crash unfolded | How crash unfolded |
| A spokesman for Network Rail confirmed that the area where the accident took place had a variable line speed of 80-95mph. | A spokesman for Network Rail confirmed that the area where the accident took place had a variable line speed of 80-95mph. |
| He stressed that 95mph - Virgin's estimate of the speed of the train - was a safe speed for a Pendolino. | He stressed that 95mph - Virgin's estimate of the speed of the train - was a safe speed for a Pendolino. |
| Ch Supt Martyn Ripley of the British Transport Police said the recovery operation was a "logistical nightmare", and that the heavy duty lifting equipment would not be on site until at least early Tuesday. | Ch Supt Martyn Ripley of the British Transport Police said the recovery operation was a "logistical nightmare", and that the heavy duty lifting equipment would not be on site until at least early Tuesday. |
| Thomas Edwards, who is leading the inquiry for the RAIB, said two black box data recorders had been recovered from the wreckage. and information from them would now be analysed. | Thomas Edwards, who is leading the inquiry for the RAIB, said two black box data recorders had been recovered from the wreckage. and information from them would now be analysed. |
| HAVE YOUR SAY This accident does seem to be yet another symptom of the fragmentation of the railways from the publicly owned unified system we used to have, to what we now have Noel Staples, Peterborough Send us your comments | HAVE YOUR SAY This accident does seem to be yet another symptom of the fragmentation of the railways from the publicly owned unified system we used to have, to what we now have Noel Staples, Peterborough Send us your comments |
| The points were "essential to the investigation", he said, but added the inquiry would also be looking at three other main areas - the track between the points and where the train slipped down the embankment, signal boxes and the train itself. | The points were "essential to the investigation", he said, but added the inquiry would also be looking at three other main areas - the track between the points and where the train slipped down the embankment, signal boxes and the train itself. |
| He also said a "statement of fact" would be issued within seven days but that the full investigation would take "months". | He also said a "statement of fact" would be issued within seven days but that the full investigation would take "months". |
| Potters Bar comparisons | Potters Bar comparisons |
| Meanwhile there have been calls for an independent public inquiry into the 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. |
| INVESTIGATING BODIES British Transport Police: National police force for railways, also covers London Underground and Midland Metro Tram SystemRail Accident and Investigation Branch: Investigates incidents on railways to improve safety - does not establish blame.Her Majesty's Railway Inspectorate: Division of the Office of the Rail Regulator, oversees safety on Britain's railways and tramways | INVESTIGATING BODIES British Transport Police: National police force for railways, also covers London Underground and Midland Metro Tram SystemRail Accident and Investigation Branch: Investigates incidents on railways to improve safety - does not establish blame.Her Majesty's Railway Inspectorate: Division of the Office of the Rail Regulator, oversees safety on Britain's railways and tramways |
| 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. | 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. |
| Ms Christian's comments came after rail expert Christian Wolmar told BBC News 24 the points on which the Cumbria crash probe was focusing could have had loose bolts. | Ms Christian's comments came after rail expert Christian Wolmar 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. |
| The train's carriages slipped down an embankment after the crash | The train's carriages slipped down an embankment after the crash |
| 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. |
| Train driver interviewed | Train driver interviewed |
| Work at the crash site itself, which is only accessed via narrow rural roads, has been hampered by rain which has caused the scene to become very muddy underfoot. | Work at the crash site itself, which is only accessed via narrow rural roads, has been hampered by rain which has caused the scene to become very muddy underfoot. |
| 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 |
| A forensic examination carried out by the British Transport Police, the RAIB and Her Majesty's Railway Inspectorate (HMRI) is expected to continue at the site for several days. | A forensic examination carried out by the British Transport Police, the RAIB and Her Majesty's Railway Inspectorate (HMRI) is expected to continue at the site for several days. |
| Margaret Masson, 84, of Glasgow, died after the crash, and eight people were seriously injured including Mrs Masson's daughter and son-in-law Margaret Langley, 61, and Richard Langley, 63. Both are in a serious but stable condition at the Royal Preston Hospital. | |
| Richard Blakemore, 54, from Reading, was in a comfortable position and Graeme Stewart, 28, an IT consultant originally from Glasgow but now living in London, was also in a comfortable condition. | Richard Blakemore, 54, from Reading, was in a comfortable position and Graeme Stewart, 28, an IT consultant originally from Glasgow but now living in London, was also in a comfortable condition. |
| Another patient has been transferred from another hospital to undergo neurosurgery by brain and spinal consultants. | Another patient has been transferred from another hospital to undergo neurosurgery by brain and spinal consultants. |
| Iain Black, the train driver, suffered a broken collar bone and a broken bone in his neck, his union Aslef has said, and is expected to remain in hospital for about a month. He is in a serious but stable condition. | Iain Black, the train driver, suffered a broken collar bone and a broken bone in his neck, his union Aslef has said, and is expected to remain in hospital for about a month. He is in a serious but stable condition. |
| Ch Supt Ripley said investigators had spoken to Mr Black, and that he would be interviewed again. | Ch Supt Ripley said investigators had spoken to Mr Black, and that he would be interviewed again. |
| Five other patients are being treated at other hospitals in the region while most of the other 60 people who were injured have now been discharged. | |
| Virgin Trains said the line may not reopen to passenger services until during the week beginning 5 March. | Virgin Trains said the line may not reopen to passenger services until during the week beginning 5 March. |