of the British Broadcasting Corporation
Friday, 10 May, 2002,
17:14 GMT 18:14 UK
Audio and video reports
The crash
The train's last carriage
is wedged under the station's roof.
|
The 1245BST WAGN service carrying 151 passengers from Kings Cross,
London, to Kings Lynn derails at Potters Bar, little more than ten minutes
into its journey. Three of the train's four carriages come off the tracks.
The BBC's Gavin Hewitt reports |
|
John Andrew on past rail disasters |
|
The BBC's David Shukman explains how the crash unfolded
|
Eyewitness accounts
The injured were taken
to Barnet general hospital
|
Following the crash, many people who live and work in Potters Bar rush to the station in order to help in the rescue operation. They report seeing people lying under the train.
|
Estate agent Andrew Ansell: "Everyone thought the train was literally
coming through the back of the office" |
|
Sam Irving: "We jumped down onto the line and went under the
train" |
|
Waitress Shirley Sally: "There were a lot of local people helping
out doing what they could" |
Industry and political reaction
Investigators will
have to painstakingly check the train and the surrounding area
|
Senior politicians send their condolences to those affected by the crash, as the rail industry's experts start their investigation into what caused the accident. Investigators from the Health and Safety Executive, as well as officials from Railtrack and the train company are involved.
|
Transport Secretary Stephen Byers: "Our thoughts must be with the family and friends of those that have died in this terrible accident" |
|
The BBC's Rory Cellan-Jones on the crisis of confidence in Britain's rail industry |
|
The UK Railway Inspectorate's Dr Alan Sefton gives details of
the official inspection of the crash site |
|
Rail Passengers Council's Stewart Francis: "What passengers want
now is answers, and they want answers as quickly as possible"
|
