UK National News - Ladbrooke Grove train crash case to go ahead

01 October 2003

Ladbrooke Grove train crash case to go ahead

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has begun its prosecution of Thames Trains Limited for alleged breaches of health and safety law in connection with the Ladbroke Grove rail collision.

HSE made public its intention to prosecute both Thames Trains Limited and Railtrack PLC (now Network Rail) in March 2002. HSE laid information against Thames Trains Limited in court on Tuesday 30 September, alleging breaches of Sections 2(1) and 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. Thames Trains Limited has been summonsed to appear before the City of London Magistrates' Court on 12 November 2003 at 10.30am.

On 5 October 1999 a Thames Trains Turbo passenger train passed signal 109 at red shortly after leaving Paddington station. The Turbo collided head on with a First Great Western high-speed train that was approaching Paddington station. Fire broke out immediately following the collision, and 31 people died – including both train drivers – and many more suffered serious injuries.

Both the British Transport Police (BTP) and HSE began immediate investigations into the collision.

In August 2003 both BTP and CPS informed HSE that their further enquiries had provided no relevant evidence against Thames Trains. This cleared the way for HSE to proceed with its case against that company. HSE has written again to the bereaved families telling them that its prosecution of Thames Trains would proceed.

(gmcg)