Network rail to be prosecuted over Grayrigg derailment

Network Rail is being prosecuted following the Grayrigg derailment involving a high speed Euston to Glasgow Central service which left one dead and many injured.

The Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) said it had today started criminal proceedings against NR for breaches of health and safety law.

The Virgin Pandolino, travelling at near 100 mph, derailed because of faulty track and careered down an embankment. Passenger Mrs Margaret Masson was killed after the 2007 derailment.

A further 86 people were injured, 28 seriously.

Ian Prosser, ORR director of railway safety, said: "Following the coroner's inquest into the death of Mrs Masson I have concluded there is enough evidence, and that it is in the public interest, to bring criminal proceedings against NR for a serious breach of health and safety law which led to the derailment."

Robin Gisby, NR managing director of network operations, said: "NR has not hidden from its responsibilities - the company accepted quickly that it was a fault with the infrastructure that caused the accident. We again apologise to Mrs Masson's family."