Arrest over the Cumbria Train Crash!

[D306]

http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/cumbria/6897146.stm

A 46-year-old rail worker has been questioned on suspicion of manslaughter after a train crash near Kendal in Cumbria in which an elderly woman died.
British Transport Police (BTP) said the man was a Network Rail employee, who has since been released on bail.

The London to Glasgow Virgin Pendolino train derailed on 23 February at Grayrigg, killing Margaret Masson, 84, from Glasgow and injuring 22 others.

A subsequent investigation blamed the incident on a faulty set of points.

A BTP spokesman said the 46-year-old man, from the Preston area, was arrested on Wednesday in connection with the incident.

Missing bolts

He has been released on police bail until 31 October.

Network Rail refused to comment on the arrest.

The initial report into the derailment from the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB), said faults with the points meant the tilting train could not follow its intended path over the tracks and it derailed.

Investigators found one of three stretcher bars was not in position, two were fractured and bolts were missing.

The bars join the moving rails, keeping them a set distance apart.

The driver of the train, Iain Black, 46, from Dumbarton, who was hailed a hero after it emerged he stayed at the controls as it careered off the rails, suffered neck and shoulder injuries.

The (RAIB) investigation said there was no evidence to indicate the driving of the train or the condition of the train were contributory factors to the derailment.

Two access roads had to be built to deal with the removal of the nine derailed carriages.

 

[Donny Dave]

Mod Notice.

Me123, I have deleted your post as there has been a complaint about it. The wording could potentially affect a possible court case.

 

[me123]

Mod Notice.

Me123, I have deleted your post as there has been a complaint about it. The wording could potentially affect a possible court case.

Sorry, it was not intended to be that way at all.

 

[TheSlash]

I made the complaint and it wasn't about a Court Case
You automatically assumed that a colleague of mine is guilty of crime, just because he has been arrested and charged. It is upto a Jury of 12 people to make that decision, after being presented with all the evidence and any witness statements.

 

[me123]

I made the complaint and it wasn't about a Court Case
You automatically assumed that a colleague of mine is guilty of crime, just because he has been arrested and charged. It is upto a Jury of 12 people to make that decision, after being presented with all the evidence and any witness statements.

As I have said, it was not intended to be in that way at all. I would say what I was implying, but I'm scared to now.

 

[djw1981]

The Forum Admin are legally responsible for any potentially prejudicial comments made here. We don;t want them to be prosecuted do we? Basically you can only quote Newspapers until after the trial... Internet Forums are treated like newspapers / Media in terms of slander / libel.

 

[me123]

I am aware of this. I'm just not going to put any personal views in my posts any more.

 

[Max]

I am aware of this. I'm just not going to put any personal views in my posts any more.

We're not saying you can't add personal views, it's just not suitable in this case because the person in question is innocent until proven guilty. Doesn't mean you can't give your opinions on anything else - don't take it personally

 

[me123]

We're not saying you can't add personal views, it's just not suitable in this case because the person in question is innocent until proven guilty. Doesn't mean you can't give your opinions on anything else - don't take it personally

I'm not. I was implying that the media were portraying a particular angle on this story (I hope this is unspecific enough).

 

[Dennis]

I am aware of this. I'm just not going to put any personal views in my posts any more.

The airing of personal views is not a problem provided that what you make public is a considered opinion. It is very easy to jump to conclusions without being in full possession of the facts. Fortunately, the legal processes in this country are aware of this need.

 

[me123]

I'm not going to post in this thread any more to avoid any more confusion, kaffuffle, or general madness.

 

[TheSlash]

I'm not. I was implying that the media were portraying a particular angle on this story (I hope this is unspecific enough).

You failed very badly to word it that way.

 

[Dennis]

This thread got me thinking about human nature.

Putting aside mindless teen morons who are happy to place objects on the line or drop items on trains without any real understanding of the possible consequences, I do find it incredible that an individual, of sound mind and without political or religous motivation, would effectively premeditate the potential murder of tens or even hundreds of people. Thankfully, there are very few in the world who would do that.

On the other hand, are all 'rail workers' fully briefed about the safety implications of the work they perform? If the answer is no, a culture change is required and, perhaps unfortunately for the 'suspect', ignorance may not be a defence.

 

[TheSlash]

You'll find that there is a Pyramid of safety awareness. Those at the bottom have the biggest awareness of possible implications, but as you get further to the top, the awareness is less.
We've found a new buzz word to get things done. It's 10 letters, starts with D and ends in T, say it and managers automatically agree your solution is the best.

 

[adambro]

I think it is very welcoming news that an arrest has been made. From reading the interim RAIB it sounds like some serious failings must have led to this accident and anyone found to be responsible should of course be dealt with very seriously as a result. Of course as has been mentioned, this individual is innocent until proven guilty but it is good that it appears the BTP are making progress with their investigation.