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| Initial rail crash findings due | Initial rail crash findings due |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Investigators are due to publish their first report into the Cumbria train crash which killed an 84-year-old woman and seriously injured eight others. | Investigators are due to publish their first report into the Cumbria train crash which killed an 84-year-old woman and seriously injured eight others. |
| They will reveal their initial findings about what may have caused the Virgin Pendolino to derail near Kendal, but will not make any firm conclusions. | They will reveal their initial findings about what may have caused the Virgin Pendolino to derail near Kendal, but will not make any firm conclusions. |
| A set of points is currently the main focus of the crash inquiry. | A set of points is currently the main focus of the crash inquiry. |
| Network Rail said it had found nothing of concern after checking 700 similar points in the wake of Friday's crash. | Network Rail said it had found nothing of concern after checking 700 similar points in the wake of Friday's crash. |
| The points, known as Westinghouse type 63, are generally used only in emergencies and normally have a stretcher or fixed bar which keeps the rails apart. | The points, known as Westinghouse type 63, are generally used only in emergencies and normally have a stretcher or fixed bar which keeps the rails apart. |
| The inquiry into the Cumbria rail tragedy is likely to be long and sweeping Tom Symonds, BBC transport correspondent Crash inquiry to be lengthy | The inquiry into the Cumbria rail tragedy is likely to be long and sweeping Tom Symonds, BBC transport correspondent Crash inquiry to be lengthy |
| John Armitt, Network Rail's chief executive, told the BBC that disruption to the line was expected to last for between 10 days and two weeks while the investigation was carried out. | |
| Addressing reports the crash could be linked to maintenance issues, he said: "I've no doubt that the people we are employing are qualified and competent to carry out the particular tests we require them to do." | |
| He said the additional checks were a precautionary measure that any responsible organisation would undertake. | |
| "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." |
| How crash unfolded | How crash unfolded |
| Ch Supt Martyn Ripley, of the British Transport Police, said the operation to recover the train's carriages was a "logistical nightmare" and that 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 operation to recover the train's carriages was a "logistical nightmare" and that heavy duty lifting equipment would not be on site until at least early Tuesday. |
| Thomas Edwards, who is leading the inquiry for the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (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 Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB), said two black box data recorders had been recovered from the wreckage and information from them would now be analysed. |
| He said, as well as looking at the points, investigators would also be examining the track between the points and where the train slipped down the embankment, signal boxes and the train itself. | He said, as well as looking at the points, investigators would also be examining the track between the points and where the train slipped down the embankment, signal boxes and the train itself. |
| A forensic examination carried out by the British Transport Police, the RAIB and Her Majesty's Railway Inspectorate 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 is expected to continue at the site for several days. |
| 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 |
| 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 2002 Potters Bar crash, in which seven people died when a train derailed following a points failure, said not enough had been done since then to improve rail safety. | Louise Christian, the solicitor who represented victims of the 2002 Potters Bar crash, in which seven people died when a train derailed following a points failure, said not enough had been done since then to improve rail safety. |
| 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. |
| Train driver Iain Black is being treated in hospital | |
| 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. |
| 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 |
| 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. | 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. | Both are in a serious but stable condition at the Royal Preston Hospital. |
| Iain Black, 46, 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. | |
| While the crash investigation continues, buses are being laid on from Lancaster, Preston and Carlisle to replace suspended rail services. |