An inquest in November established that the derailment in Cumbria that killed 84-year-old Margaret Masson of Glasgow was caused by missing, detached or broken stretcher bars.The train went over the poorly maintained points at 92mph before hurtling down an embankment.
At a preliminary hearing at Lancaster Magistrates’ Court yesterday Network Rail indicated that it would enter a guilty plea when it comes before Preston Crown Court next month.
After the hearing, Network Rail chief executive David Higgins said: “The Grayrigg derailment in 2007 resulting in the tragic death of Mrs Masson was a terrible event. Within hours of the event it was clear that we were responsible, that the infrastructure was at fault, so it is right that we plead guilty. We again apologise to Mrs Masson’s family for the undoubted grief this has caused them.
“While there were faults at hand in 2007, we have been determined to recognise what we got wrong and put it right. An event like this affects everyone in the company, and especially those with responsibility for the track. Since the accident, much has changed in the way we plan and carry out maintenance work with new systems put in place to improve the quality and safety of our railway. We have one of the safest passenger railways in Europe and safety will always be our number one priority.”
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