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05/06/2002
Landslide is possible cause of train accident
Work is continuing at the site of Tuesday's train derailment near Castlerock, which saw 12 people injured when a Londonderry to Belfast train came off the line as it approached the tunnel at Downhill.
A total of 20 passengers were aboard the train when the accident occurred at around 1pm on Tuesday afternoon. In all 12 people were taken to hospital, including the driver who was the most seriously injured. Thrown from the cab the driver sustained head and leg injuries.
While Translink has promised a "thorough investigation" into the incident, spokesperson for the company, Ciaran Rogan, said it is thought that the derailment was caused by a minor landslide which saw large boulders land on the track and on the adjacent roads shortly before the train's approach. The impact caused the three-carriage train to derail, with one carriage forced onto the nearby beach while another was shunted onto the nearby roadway.
Speaking about the incident, Mr Rogan commented: "It could have been a lot more serious. Fatalities could have occurred not only on the railway but also on the road and we will be taking it up with the landowners of the land adjacent as to exactly what their management and maintenance route was for the cliffs here."
The line will be closed until all salvage and repair work is carried out, and a bus service is in operation for passengers travelling between Coleraine and Londonderry.
(CL)
A total of 20 passengers were aboard the train when the accident occurred at around 1pm on Tuesday afternoon. In all 12 people were taken to hospital, including the driver who was the most seriously injured. Thrown from the cab the driver sustained head and leg injuries.
While Translink has promised a "thorough investigation" into the incident, spokesperson for the company, Ciaran Rogan, said it is thought that the derailment was caused by a minor landslide which saw large boulders land on the track and on the adjacent roads shortly before the train's approach. The impact caused the three-carriage train to derail, with one carriage forced onto the nearby beach while another was shunted onto the nearby roadway.
Speaking about the incident, Mr Rogan commented: "It could have been a lot more serious. Fatalities could have occurred not only on the railway but also on the road and we will be taking it up with the landowners of the land adjacent as to exactly what their management and maintenance route was for the cliffs here."
The line will be closed until all salvage and repair work is carried out, and a bus service is in operation for passengers travelling between Coleraine and Londonderry.
(CL)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
