Crash team investigates broken track
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A possible broken rail has become the focus of attention today as investigators try to find the cause of the Hatfield train crash.
A possible broken rail has become the focus of attention today as investigators try to find the cause of the Hatfield train crash.
Railtrack has said that a broken rail could have been the cause of yesterday's accident and has applied speed restrictions to all its similar tracks.
Railtrack director Nicholas Pollard said: "We will be investigating the possibility that a broken rail could have been a factor. If that is the case then we must establish clearly why that rail appears to have broken."
GNER's chief executive, Christopher Garnett, said: "We managed to get down to the track side last night and as far as anyone could see the wheels were not broken. I know there has been a lot of speculation about that."
Terrorism has been ruled out as a possible cause of the accident and British Transport Police are continuing their fingertip search of the crash site.
"We do not believe at this stage there is anything wrong with the train. "
Railtrack's director of safety, Chris Lear, said: "There are a lot of theories and there is a lot of speculation. I think we should really wait until we have finished our investigation to come up with the real causes."
Rail travellers are facing further delays due to the speed restrictions. The routes most likely to be affected are the East Coast Main Line from Londonÿs Kingÿs Cross to Leeds and Edinburgh, The Great Western Line from Paddington to Cardiff and Bristol, and the West Coast Main Line from London to Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool and Glasgow.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments