16/07/2003

Translink criticised in train crash report

The Department of Regional Development, Translink and the police have been criticised in a report following their handling of a train crash in Co Londonderry last year.

Today's report by Her Majesty's Railway Inspectorate claimed that while the crash at Downhill near Castlerock on 4 June 2002 was the result of a series of unlikely events that could perhaps have been foreseen, the risk of a rock falling from the nearby slope had not been properly evaluated prior to the derailment.

Responding to the report, Ulster Unionist representative for the area, David

McClarty said it was clear from the report that an urgent overhaul of existing structures was needed if other potential accidents were to be averted.

The Londonderry to Belfast train was derailed and six people injured after boulders from a nearby cliff ended up on the line.

Twenty-two passengers and two crew were on board the three carriages at the time of the crash.

The injured were treated in hospital after the incident, including the driver who suffered serious leg wounds.

(MB)

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