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14/07/2005
Manslaughter charges dropped in rail crash case
The manslaughter charges brought against five rail bosses accused of killing four people who died in the Hatfield train disaster have been thrown out by a judge at the Old Bailey.
The charges had been brought against five executives from Railtrack – now Network Rail – and engineering firm Balfour Beatty.
A corporate manslaughter charge against Balfour Beatty was also been dismissed.
Mr Justice Mackay had ordered the jury to find the five executives – three from Railtrack and two from Balfour Beatty – not guilty, five months into their trial.
The judge, who did not explain his reasons, made the decision after listening to submissions, reviewing evidence and considering some of the issues raised during the trial.
Mr Justice Mackay told jurors: “It is not open to you to convict any of the six defendants on charges of manslaughter. I am not permitted to give reasons for the decision.”
However, the five executives, Balfour Beatty and Network Rail will still face charges under the Health and Safety Act.
The Railtrack executives – London North East Zone asset managers, Alistair Cook and Sean Fugill, both 50 and LNE track engineer Keith Lea, 53 – and two Balfour Beatty executives – Regional Director Anthony Walker, 46 and civil engineer Nicholas Jeffries, 53 – denied both the manslaughter and health and safety charges.
Balfour Beatty and Network Rail also denied all the charges.
Four people died and 102 people were injured in the Hatfield crash on October 17, 2000. The train was derailed at 115mph by a cracked section of rail.
Peter Monkhouse, 50, from Headingley, Leeds, Steve Arthur, 46, of Pease Pottage, West Sussex, Leslie Gray, 43, of Tuxford, Nottingham; and Robert James Alcorn, 37, of Auckland, New Zealand, all died in the accident.
(KMcA/GB)
The charges had been brought against five executives from Railtrack – now Network Rail – and engineering firm Balfour Beatty.
A corporate manslaughter charge against Balfour Beatty was also been dismissed.
Mr Justice Mackay had ordered the jury to find the five executives – three from Railtrack and two from Balfour Beatty – not guilty, five months into their trial.
The judge, who did not explain his reasons, made the decision after listening to submissions, reviewing evidence and considering some of the issues raised during the trial.
Mr Justice Mackay told jurors: “It is not open to you to convict any of the six defendants on charges of manslaughter. I am not permitted to give reasons for the decision.”
However, the five executives, Balfour Beatty and Network Rail will still face charges under the Health and Safety Act.
The Railtrack executives – London North East Zone asset managers, Alistair Cook and Sean Fugill, both 50 and LNE track engineer Keith Lea, 53 – and two Balfour Beatty executives – Regional Director Anthony Walker, 46 and civil engineer Nicholas Jeffries, 53 – denied both the manslaughter and health and safety charges.
Balfour Beatty and Network Rail also denied all the charges.
Four people died and 102 people were injured in the Hatfield crash on October 17, 2000. The train was derailed at 115mph by a cracked section of rail.
Peter Monkhouse, 50, from Headingley, Leeds, Steve Arthur, 46, of Pease Pottage, West Sussex, Leslie Gray, 43, of Tuxford, Nottingham; and Robert James Alcorn, 37, of Auckland, New Zealand, all died in the accident.
(KMcA/GB)
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05 July 2006
Hatfield rail crash fine reduced
Engineering firm Balfour Beatty has had the £10 million fine imposed over the Hatfield rail crash reduced to £7.5 million on appeal. Four people died and 102 were injured when a London-to-Leeds express train was derailed at more than 115mph in October 2000.
Hatfield rail crash fine reduced
Engineering firm Balfour Beatty has had the £10 million fine imposed over the Hatfield rail crash reduced to £7.5 million on appeal. Four people died and 102 were injured when a London-to-Leeds express train was derailed at more than 115mph in October 2000.
18 July 2005
Engineering firm pleads guilty to Hatfield safety breach
Engineering firm Balfour Beattie has pleaded guilty to the charge that it breached safety standards before the Hatfield train disaster, in which four people died. The change of plea comes after the company, and five of its managers, were cleared of corporate manslaughter charges last week.
Engineering firm pleads guilty to Hatfield safety breach
Engineering firm Balfour Beattie has pleaded guilty to the charge that it breached safety standards before the Hatfield train disaster, in which four people died. The change of plea comes after the company, and five of its managers, were cleared of corporate manslaughter charges last week.
07 October 2005
Firms fined over Hatfield rail crash
Two firms have been fined a combined total of £13.5 million over the Hatfield rail disaster, in which four people died. The rail firm, Network Rail – formerly Railtrack – was fined £3.5 million, while engineering firm Balfour Beatty was fined £10 million. Both companies were also ordered to pay £300,000 in costs.
Firms fined over Hatfield rail crash
Two firms have been fined a combined total of £13.5 million over the Hatfield rail disaster, in which four people died. The rail firm, Network Rail – formerly Railtrack – was fined £3.5 million, while engineering firm Balfour Beatty was fined £10 million. Both companies were also ordered to pay £300,000 in costs.
06 September 2005
Network Rail found guilty over Hatfield crash
Network Rail has been found guilty of breaching safety legislation prior to the Hatfield rail disaster at the Old Bailey. However, three executives from the firm – known as Railtrack at the time of the crash – and two executives from Balfour Beatty, the firm that maintained the line, were cleared of all charges.
Network Rail found guilty over Hatfield crash
Network Rail has been found guilty of breaching safety legislation prior to the Hatfield rail disaster at the Old Bailey. However, three executives from the firm – known as Railtrack at the time of the crash – and two executives from Balfour Beatty, the firm that maintained the line, were cleared of all charges.
13 January 2012
Legal Action Taken Over Cumbrian Rail Crash
It has been revealed that Network rail is to be prosecuted over the Cumbrian rail crash back in 2007, which claimed one life. The rail regulation body, The Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) has said that they have started legal proceedings against Network Rail for a breach of health and safety law.
Legal Action Taken Over Cumbrian Rail Crash
It has been revealed that Network rail is to be prosecuted over the Cumbrian rail crash back in 2007, which claimed one life. The rail regulation body, The Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) has said that they have started legal proceedings against Network Rail for a breach of health and safety law.
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