Jarvis guilty plea over death of girl, 8
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.The rail contractor Jarvis yesterday admitted breaking safety rules after a girl was electrocuted on a high-voltage track.
The rail contractor Jarvis yesterday admitted breaking safety rules after a girl was electrocuted on a high-voltage track.
Heather Foster, eight, died in August 2000 when she climbed through a gap in fencing with other children on the Southport to Liverpool line and fell on a live rail at St Michael's station in Aigburth. Liverpool Crown Court was told Jarvis and Network Rail had failed to ensure the fencing surrounding the line was maintained.
A spokesman for Jarvis said: "As legal proceedings are continuing, we cannot provide a full and detailed explanation of what happened at this stage. We will do so at a later hearing."
Jarvis admitted contravening the 1974 Health and Safety at Work Act. Network Rail, known as Railtrack in 2000, had admitted similar charges at a previous hearing.
* Two rail firms have been fined after a derailment was triggered by poor maintenance. Up to 70 commuters were on the Thameslink service in October 2001 when several wheels slipped off a line so "insecure" the rails were nearly 2in further apart than they should have been. Network Rail, which owns and operates the track, was fined £30,000 and Amec Rail, maintenance contractor, was fined £40,000.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments