ONE man was killed and 24 people were injured last night when two
passenger trains crashed after heavy rain caused a landslip on a remote
Cumbrian line.
The collision happened at about 7pm in torrential rain and gusting
winds on the Carlisle to Settle line at Aisgill, just south of Kirkby
Stephen.
Railtrack said the accident involved the 1626 Carlisle to Leeds train,
which was heading south but was forced to turn back at Blea Moor, by the
Ribblehorn viaduct, because of severe flooding.
The train was heading north and was a mile north of Aisgill summit
when it struck a landslip on the track and was derailed. It was then
struck by the 1745 Carlisle to Leeds service travelling south.
The accident prompted a full-scale emergency operation and about 10
ambulances were summoned from Cumbria and Yorkshire. But most of the
injured were eventually taken by a train to hospitals in Carlisle
because of poor road conditions.
An official of Cumbria Police later said it had been confirmed that
the man who died was a British Rail employee, but not a train driver.
In addition to the death there had been the two train drivers, who
were seiously injured, and 22 ''walking wounded''.
A Fire Service spokesman said one of the train drivers was trapped in
the wreckage and had to be cut free by firefighters.
He said the crash happened a considerable distance from the road and
men and equipment had to go on foot to the scene. Mountain rescue teams
were also involved.
''Because of the remoteness of the site, the injured are being
transported by a special train sent down the line from Carlisle and
taken back to Carlisle to Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle,'' he said.
''Most of the firefighters involved in tonight's operation have been
dealing with flooding incidents throughout the day. They will have
earned their rest tonight.''
Assistant divisional fire officer Steve Wilkes, describing the scene
which greeted his firefighting team, said: ''It was pitch black, raining
very heavily, and the ground was flooded on the fell side.
''The weather conditions were atrocious -- we struggled to get to the
incident because of the floods and there was fog on the top as well.
''The two trains were quite badly damaged and completely derailed. All
the passenger compartments had concertina'd and come off the line, and
it had obviously been a fairly heavy impact. Part of the track was
involved with a landslide.
''There were two drivers who were seriously injured. We freed one
using our cutting equipment and hydraulic gear and gave first aid.
''Mountain rescue teams were mobilised to bring the injured drivers
down the fellside as they were too seriously injured to be taken to
hospital on the special train.
''The passengers had minor injuries and most were fairly calm. One or
two were in shock and there was one with a little baby. They were
treated by paramedics at the scene.''
He said farmers loaned the rescue teams three-wheeled motor bikes with
trailers which were used to shuttle equipment up and down the fell, and
also provided refreshments for the casualties.
''Accessibility of the railway line was the major problem for
everyone, with it being on such a high fell and in such bad
conditions,'' added Mr Wilkes.
Police asked worried relatives seeking information about passengers to
contact 01768 217400.
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