Inquest blames points for Grayrigg crash

4 Nov 2011

The inquest into the death of 84-year-old Glaswegian Margaret Masson in the Grayrigg, Cumbria, train crash in February 2007 has blamed a ‘degraded’ set of points for the derailment. The coroner praised the train driver, ASLEF member Iain Black, who was seriously injured in the crash, for both his witness evidence and how he has conducted himself throughout the entire ordeal.

The inquest concluded that the train, travelling at 92 miles an hour, careered off the track and down an embankment when it went over degraded points. As a result, Mrs Masson died and 88 people were injured.

The 11 jurors heard evidence from the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) about the unsafe condition of the Lambrigg 2B points. One of three stretcher bars, which keep moving rails a set distance apart, was missing while the other two were fractured and bolts were missing.

The Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) will now complete its investigation and decide whether to bring criminal proceedings for health and safety offences.

The union expressed its sympathy for Mrs Masson's family and to all those injured in the derailment.