Network Rail guilty of health and safety breach
Wednesday 29th February 2012
Network Rail has admitted breaching health and safety regulations that resulted in the Grayrigg rail crash killing an 84 year old woman and injuring 88 others, 28 of them seriously.
The company entered guilty pleas at Lancaster Magistrates Court today (29 February 2012) and the case was adjourned to 2 April to Preston Crown Court. The guilty pleas mean that Network Rail could face a massive fine.
In November 2011 an inquest established that poorly maintained rail points were to blame for the crash and, as a result, the death of 84 year old Margaret Masson.
The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 imposes obligations on employers to ensure the health and safety of their employees and those likely to be affected by their operations.