Major Train Crash in the North of England
Train Crash: Many Hurt
Updated: 00:24, Saturday February 24, 2007
Emergency services say there are "numerous" injuries in the Cumbria train derailment.
The train was the 17:15 Virgin service from Euston to Glasgow Central via Kendal.
The accident occurred at Lambrigg between Oxenholme and Tebay in the Lake District.
North West ambulance service said all the carriages were derailed and the second compartment slipped down an embankment.
It said it believed all 180 people on board have now been freed from the train.
Crash was north of Oxenholme The Royal Preston hospital has received three people in a critical condition, and another in a serious condition.
A spokesman said they had been told to expect more.
Three people were evacuated to the Royal Lancaster Infirmary with " serious, but not life threatening injuries."
A further 65 people are described as walking wounded.
All carriages derailed Ambulance service spokeswoman Claudine Shacklock said: "The fire service is now going through the train using thermal imaging equipment to make sure there is no-one left on board."
The accident happned at 8pm on Friday evening.
An eyewitness said there was a loud bang and the train lurched violently to one side.
Local resident Stephen Dodd said part of the train had fallen into the nearby valley close to a river.
"There's debris stretched along for about a mile," he said.
Not everyone is accounted for Cumbria Fire Service has ten pumps and three emergency co-ordination vehicles at the scene.
Three RAF Helicopters and the Merseyside Police helicopter are involved in the rescue operation.
Michael Mulford from RAF Kinloss Emergency Centre said it was a "major incident" and a mountain rescue team that was exercise nearby is also helping.
The train was a Pendolino which has a special tilting mechanism and is able to reach speeds of 125mph.
A family liaison centre has been set up at Glasgow Central station for anyone who was worried about friends or relatives who had been travelling on the train.
The contact number for British Transport Police is 0800 40 50 40.
Reply With Quote
Bookmarks