09/11/2004
Victims of Ufton Nervet train crash named
The seven victims of the high-speed train crash at a level-crossing near Ufton Nervet on Sunday have been named.
The youngest was nine-year-old Louella Main who perished with her mother Anjanetta Rossi (39). The others who died were: Emily Webster (14); Barry Strevens (55); Leslie Charles Matthews (72); train driver Stanley Martin (54), and the driver of the car Brian Drysdale (48).
It is understood that 19 of the 300 passengers aboard the eight-carriage First Great Western train are being treated in hospital for their injuries.
Investigators are considering whether the crash - which occurred when the train ploughed into Mr Drysdale's stationery vehicle - may have resulted from a suicide attempt.
However, a relative of Mr Drysdale's has expressed shock that he would attempt to take his own life, particularly if he risked killing others.
All the carriages of the train were completely derailed when it hit a car at a rural level-crossing near the village of Ufton Nervet in Berkshire on Saturday.
Initial reports indicated that an off-duty policeman was attempting to alert the rail company via an emergency phone call when the 17:35 London Paddington to Plymouth train hit the vehicle at the rural crossing.
Cranes erected on site began lifting the wreckage of the train last night as the clear-up operation began.
Engineering work at the site this week will mean that a special bus service will be in operation between Newbury and Didcot Parkway and also Swindon and Pewsey.
Services between the West of England and London, which will use an alternative route with extended journey times.
(SP/GMCG)
The youngest was nine-year-old Louella Main who perished with her mother Anjanetta Rossi (39). The others who died were: Emily Webster (14); Barry Strevens (55); Leslie Charles Matthews (72); train driver Stanley Martin (54), and the driver of the car Brian Drysdale (48).
It is understood that 19 of the 300 passengers aboard the eight-carriage First Great Western train are being treated in hospital for their injuries.
Investigators are considering whether the crash - which occurred when the train ploughed into Mr Drysdale's stationery vehicle - may have resulted from a suicide attempt.
However, a relative of Mr Drysdale's has expressed shock that he would attempt to take his own life, particularly if he risked killing others.
All the carriages of the train were completely derailed when it hit a car at a rural level-crossing near the village of Ufton Nervet in Berkshire on Saturday.
Initial reports indicated that an off-duty policeman was attempting to alert the rail company via an emergency phone call when the 17:35 London Paddington to Plymouth train hit the vehicle at the rural crossing.
Cranes erected on site began lifting the wreckage of the train last night as the clear-up operation began.
Engineering work at the site this week will mean that a special bus service will be in operation between Newbury and Didcot Parkway and also Swindon and Pewsey.
Services between the West of England and London, which will use an alternative route with extended journey times.
(SP/GMCG)
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10 November 2004
No technical faults in Ufton Nervet derailment, says HSE
Neither railway infrastructure nor staff error were in any way to blame for the train derailment at Ufton Nervet which left seven people dead, according to an interim report by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
No technical faults in Ufton Nervet derailment, says HSE
Neither railway infrastructure nor staff error were in any way to blame for the train derailment at Ufton Nervet which left seven people dead, according to an interim report by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
07 August 2009
Great Train Robber Released
Ronnie Biggs has been formally released from prison today on compassionate grounds. Justice Secretary Jack Straw yesterday approved the Great Train Robber's release. Biggs - who turns 80 tomorrow - is severely ill with pneumonia was told he is unlikely to recover.
Great Train Robber Released
Ronnie Biggs has been formally released from prison today on compassionate grounds. Justice Secretary Jack Straw yesterday approved the Great Train Robber's release. Biggs - who turns 80 tomorrow - is severely ill with pneumonia was told he is unlikely to recover.
26 June 2008
Great Escape On The Cards For Infamous Train Robber
Infamous train robber, Ronnie Biggs, could be freed from jail in a year, his lawyer has said. Biggs, 78, was sentenced to 30 years for the 1963 robbery, but escaped Wandsworth prison by scaling a rope ladder, after 15 months.
Great Escape On The Cards For Infamous Train Robber
Infamous train robber, Ronnie Biggs, could be freed from jail in a year, his lawyer has said. Biggs, 78, was sentenced to 30 years for the 1963 robbery, but escaped Wandsworth prison by scaling a rope ladder, after 15 months.
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 April 2005
London commuters set to get free paper
The way has been cleared for a new afternoon or evening newspaper to be distributed to London commuters, following the completion of an OFT investigation.
London commuters set to get free paper
The way has been cleared for a new afternoon or evening newspaper to be distributed to London commuters, following the completion of an OFT investigation.