Grayrigg derailment - February 2007 (merged topics)

[whole diary]

[Chris from Nailsea]

"Track maintenance failures contributed to a train crash in Cumbria which left one person dead and dozens injured, a report has concluded.

Margaret Masson, 84, of Glasgow, died and 82 people were hurt when a Virgin West Coast Pendolino train derailed at 95mph near Grayrigg in February 2007.

A Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB^▸ (Rail Accident Investigation Branch)) report published on Thursday made 29 safety recommendations."

From the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page): http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/cumbria/7685821.stm

For the RAIB report itself, see http://www.raib.gov.uk/publications/investigation_reports/reports_2008/report202008.cfm

[Lee]

Further related links.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/cumbria/7685711.stm

http://railwayeye.blogspot.com/2008/10/ambulance-chasers.html

http://railwayeye.blogspot.com/2008/10/wrong-times.html

http://www.rmtbristol.org.uk/2008/10/report_prompts_calls_for_inqui.html#more

http://www.rmtbristol.org.uk/2008/10/rmt_renews_call_for_inquiry_in.html#more

http://www.dft.gov.uk/press/speechesstatements/statements/raibreport

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/network-rail-safety-errors-exposed-971099.html

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/network-rail-criticised-over-fatal-train-crash-971487.html

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/2008/10/23/network-rail-blamed-for-cumbria-rail-crash-in-which-glasgow-woman-died-86908-20832022/

http://www.transportbriefing.co.uk/story.php?id=5277

http://www.metro.co.uk/news/article.html?Checks_failure_blamed_for_Cumbria_rail_crash&in_article_id=370309&in_page_id=34&in_a_source=

http://www.railnews.co.uk/news/general/2008/10/23-crayrigg-crash-report.html

http://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/content/Detail.asp?ReleaseID=3965&NewsAreaID=2

http://www.railnews.co.uk/news/general/2008/10/24-grayrigg-geoff-hoon.html

[Chris from Nailsea]

From the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page):

No one will face charges over the fatal Grayrigg train crash in Cumbria, British Transport Police have said.
The last of three men, from Preston, Lancashire, arrested on suspicion of manslaughter, has been released from police bail without charge.
The February 2007 crash, involving a Virgin train, killed 84-year-old Margaret Masson and injured 22 others.
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said there was "insufficient evidence" to proceed with the investigation.
Investigations showed faulty points were to blame for the tragedy.
The train driver, Iain Black, from Dumbarton, suffered multiple injuries as the London to Glasgow Virgin Pendolino train careered down an embankment.
A British Transport Police (BTP^▸ (British Transport Police)) spokeswoman said: "BTP can confirm that, following advice from the CPS, there will be no further action taken against the individuals arrested in relation to the Grayrigg incident.

For full details, see http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/cumbria/7879827.stm

[JayMac]

Network Rail to be prosecuted over Grayrigg crash

From the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page):

Network Rail is to be prosecuted over the Cumbrian rail crash at Grayrigg in which one passenger died.

The Office for Rail Regulation (ORR^» (Office of Rail and Road formerly Office of Rail Regulation - about)) said it had started criminal proceedings for a breach of health and safety law.

Margaret Masson, 84, from Glasgow, died after the Virgin train derailed on the West Coast Main Line in February 2007.

In November, an inquest jury found poorly-maintained points were to blame for causing her death.

The train went over a "degraded" set of points at 92mph and careered down an embankment, leaving 88 people injured, including two members of the train crew.

Network Rail is facing a charge under section 3(1) of the 1974 Health and Safety at Work Act.
'Thorough investigation'

The ORR said: "This results from the company's failure to provide and implement suitable and sufficient standards, procedures, guidance, training, tools and resources for the inspection and maintenance of fixed stretcher bar points."

The stretcher bars keep moving rails a set distance apart.

ORR railway safety director Ian Prosser said: "We have conducted a thorough investigation into whether criminal proceedings should be brought in relation to this derailment which caused the death of Mrs Masson and injured 86 people.
Margaret Masson Margaret Masson died of her injuries almost three hours after the crash

"Following the coroner's inquest into the death of Mrs Masson, I have concluded that there is enough evidence, and that it is in the public interest, to bring criminal proceedings against NR^» (Network Rail - home page) for a serious breach of health and safety law which led to the train derailment."

He said his thoughts were with Mrs Masson's family and it would try to ensure the prosecution proceeded as quickly as possible.

He said: "The railway today is as safe as it has ever been but there can be no room for complacency.

"The entire rail industry must continue to strive for improvements to ensure that public safety is never put at risk."

The first hearing is due to take place at Lancaster Magistrates' Court on 24 February.

'Substantial changes'

Network Rail managing director of network operations Robin Gisby said: "Network Rail has not hidden from its responsibilities - the company accepted quickly that it was a fault with the infrastructure that caused the accident.

"We again apologise to Mrs Masson's family.

"Since the derailment Network Rail has worked closely with the authorities, conducted comprehensive and detailed investigations and made substantial changes to its maintenance regime."

Soyab Patel, the solicitor representing Ms Masson's daughter Margaret Langley, said: "I am not surprised at this course of action taken by the Office for Rail Regulation.

"Indeed it would, having regard to the evidence that came out at the inquest, seem to me to be an appropriate and necessary consequence."

[JayMac]

From the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page):

Network Rail is to admit health and safety breaches over the Grayrigg crash in Cumbria in which a woman died and more than 80 people were hurt.

Margaret Masson, 84, from Glasgow, died after the Virgin train derailed on the West Coast Main Line near the village of Grayrigg.

Appearing at Lancaster Magistrates' Court, Network Rail (NR^» (Network Rail - home page)) indicated it would admit health and safety breaches.

The case will now be heard at Preston Crown Court, where NR will face a fine.

NR also apologised to Mrs Masson's family.

In November, an inquest jury found poorly-maintained points were to blame for causing her death.

The train went over a "degraded" set of points at 92mph and careered down an embankment, leaving 88 people injured, including two members of the train crew.

David Higgins, Network Rail chief executive, said it was obvious the company was to blame within hours of the crash.

He said: "The Grayrigg derailment resulting in the tragic death of Mrs Masson was a terrible event. Margaret Masson died of her injuries almost three hours after the crash. Within hours of the event it was clear that we were responsible, that the infrastructure was at fault, so it is right that we plead guilty. We again apologise to Mrs Masson's family for the undoubted grief this has caused them. While there were faults at hand in 2007, we have been determined to recognise what we got wrong and put it right."

After the hearing Mrs Masson's son, George, 62, an engineer of Castlemilk, Glasgow, said: "I knew from day one they would be guilty. I'm relieved they have admitted it, but sad they could not apologise face to face, not just through the media. My heart has deteriorated so much since all this, the stress and anxiety. Tears welled up when I was sat in court, just the mention of my mum. I'm happy this will come to an end now, it's taken five long years."

The criminal proceedings were brought by the Office of Rail Regulation.

Network Rail, which is responsible for track maintenance, is facing charges under the Health and Safety at Work Act and the case was adjourned until 2 April.

Stretcher bars holding the moveable rails a set distance apart failed, causing the train to derail, an earlier hearing heard.

Mr Higgins added: "Since the accident, much has changed in the way we plan and carry out maintenance work with new systems put in place to improve the quality and safety of our railway."

One of the longest rail incident investigations (both criminal and RAIB^▸ (Rail Accident Investigation Branch)) of recent years. The final report from the RAIB (5th revision 07/2011) can be found here:

http://www.raib.gov.uk/cms_resources.cfm?file=/081023_R202008_Grayrigg_v5.pdf

[SandTEngineer]

From the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page):

Mr Higgins added: "Since the accident, much has changed in the way we plan and carry out maintenance work with new systems put in place to improve the quality and safety of our railway."

If that's the case then why did this happen some four years later
http://www.raib.gov.uk/publications/current_investigations_register/110727_Edinburgh_Waverley.cfm
I noticed when I travelled through Edinburgh last week that all of the S&C^▸ (Settle and Carlisle ) where the train derailed has now been replaced so it must of been pretty bad to justify spending all that money

[John R]

Well it's over 5 years since the last passenger fatality from an accident, which is an unprecedented record, so the railway industry must be doing something right. Whilst there may be an element of luck in the long period we're currently enjoying, pre privatisation it was good to get one calendar year without a fatality, so things have improved enormously.

I would guess that the inspection regime is based on risk, and a low speed area like Princes St Gardens would be assessed different from 100mph+ lines.

 

[SandTEngineer]

Well it's over 5 years since the last passenger fatality from an accident, which is an unprecedented record, so the railway industry must be doing something right. Whilst there may be an element of luck in the long period we're currently enjoying, pre privatisation it was good to get one calendar year without a fatality, so things have improved enormously.

I would guess that the inspection regime is based on risk, and a low speed area like Princes St Gardens would be assessed different from 100mph+ lines.

 

I think you have missed my point. NR^» (Network Rail - home page) has stated that it has put in place improved systems to try to avoid known ommissions from occurring. I look forward to reading the RAIB^▸ (Rail Accident Investigation Branch) report on the Edinburgh derailment to see if this is the case.

I agree with your comment about the five year gap in 'passenger fatalities' being extremey good news. Personally I put this down to TPWS^▸ (Train Protection and Warning System) and the almost complete elimination of train collision accidents since it was introduced. But let us not lose sight of where the risks still apparently exist.

[EBrown]

From BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page)

Grayrigg crash: Network Rail fined ^4m over death


The train derailed while travelling over the points at 92mph

Network Rail has been fined ^4m over the Grayrigg crash in Cumbria in which a woman died and more than 80 people were hurt.

Margaret Masson, 84, from Glasgow, died after the Virgin train derailed on the West Coast Main Line in February 2007.

The train went over a "degraded" set of points at 92mph and careered down an embankment, leaving 88 people injured, including two train crew members.

Network Rail admitted health and safety breaches.

Network Rail Infrastructure Ltd admitted a charge under section 3(1) of the 1974 Health and Safety at Work Act last month and was sentenced at Preston Crown Court.

Speaking after sentencing. Network Rail chief executive David Higgins described it as a "terrible event".

He said: "Within hours it was clear that the infrastructure was at fault and we accepted responsibility, so it is right that we have been fined.

"Nothing we can say or do will lessen the pain felt by Mrs Masson's family but we will make the railways safer and strive to prevent such an accident ever happening again.

"We have learnt from the accident, determined to recognise what we got wrong and put it right."

[JayMac]

What happens to the ^4m? Straight into Osbourne's back pocket?

^4m probably isn't a great sum in terms of Network Rail's turnover, but that's ^4m less invested in the railways.

All a bit of a money-go-round really. There should be more personal responsibility with robust judicial responses. Three people were arrested following the incident, none were charged following advice from the CPS.

[Chris from Nailsea]

Hmm.

The audit trail of where the ^4m comes from, or goes, is perhaps irrelevant: it is indeed a bit of a 'money-go-round'. 

However, I have it on very good authority that such public fines do cause much consternation within Network Rail - some very senior people have to explain themselves, as it looks very bad for the corporate image.

[Chris from Nailsea]

I look forward to reading the RAIB^▸ (Rail Accident Investigation Branch) report on the Edinburgh derailment to see if this is the case.

That report has now been published on the RAIB website: see http://www.raib.gov.uk/publications/investigation_reports/reports_2012/report182012.cfm

[SandTEngineer]

I look forward to reading the RAIB^▸ (Rail Accident Investigation Branch) report on the Edinburgh derailment to see if this is the case.

That report has now been published on the RAIB website: see http://www.raib.gov.uk/publications/investigation_reports/reports_2012/report182012.cfm

Thanks for that CfN.  A speed read of the report confirms my fears that NR^» (Network Rail - home page) has not learnt its lesson from Graygrigg.  I will need to digest it further before making any more comments.

[dviner]

That report has now been published on the RAIB^▸ (Rail Accident Investigation Branch) website: see http://www.raib.gov.uk/publications/investigation_reports/reports_2012/report182012.cfm

Thanks for that CfN.  A speed read of the report confirms my fears that NR^» (Network Rail - home page) has not learnt its lesson from Graygrigg.  I will need to digest it further before making any more comments.

I dunno, this was less about pressure of work and more about different interpretations on how to carry out a particular test. Does go to show how complicated the wheel/rail interface is.

[SandTEngineer]

That report has now been published on the RAIB^▸ (Rail Accident Investigation Branch) website: see http://www.raib.gov.uk/publications/investigation_reports/reports_2012/report182012.cfm

Thanks for that CfN.  A speed read of the report confirms my fears that NR^» (Network Rail - home page) has not learnt its lesson from Graygrigg.  I will need to digest it further before making any more comments.

I dunno, this was less about pressure of work and more about different interpretations on how to carry out a particular test. Does go to show how complicated the wheel/rail interface is.

But that is exactly why the much quoted 053 inspection was instituted in the first place.  As I have always feared, and have been on the receiving end of, sometimes you can have too many standards that are too complex for the average person to take in and remember.