NETWORK RAIL and former maintenance company Jarvis Rail faced unlimited fines over the Potters Bar rail crash. The tragedy, which occurred in May 2002, left seven people dead and many more seriously injured. Today, an enquiry into the disaster ruled that the two companies in the dock were found guilty of breaches in Health & Safety Law regulations. The ORR (Office of Rail Regulation) also said that it will be launching criminal proceedings against Jarvis Rail and Network Rail.
The verdict will please the victims of the dead and the TSSA which represents the union of people in regards to transport and travel. An inquest was held earlier this year, which came back with seven counts of accidental death, which angered families. The director of rail safety in the ORR Ian Prosser said; “there is enough evidence in the public interest,” to prosecute Network Rail and Jarvis under health and safety regulations.
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| DERAILED: The aftermath of the train following the crash |
A previous health and safety executive report into the tragedy blamed negligent maintenance for the point’s failure which led to the train being derailed on May 10 2002. Six people on the train and one passenger at the station were killed in the crash. Railtrack was in control of the British rail system, before Network Rail took over the running in the autumn of 2002. Since the incident, Network Rail has carried out the required safety recommendations made by the crash report.
In response to the charges today, Network Rail added this in a statement; “The railway today is almost unrecognisable since the days of Railtrack and the Potters Bar tragedy of 2002.” Jarvis Rail, the contractor who was responsible for maintenance on the Potters Bar network went into administration earlier this year.
