major accidents, incidents and disasters

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Network Rail faces unlimited fines after admitting Paddington crash mistakes — by Conrad Murray — last modified 01-11-2006 06:54

Network Rail was today facing an unlimited fine after admitting a series of health and safety mistakes leading up to the 1999 Paddington rail crash in which 31 people died.

7 July survivor to sue government in first litigation case — by Conrad Murray — last modified 30-09-2006 07:21

A survivor of the 7 July bombings is the first to sue the government because she says she has been refused medical treatment on the NHS.

Balfour Beatty Hatfield crash fine cut to £7.5m — by Murdo Maguire — last modified 05-07-2006 15:49

Engineering firm Balfour Beatty has had the £10 million fine for its part in the Hatfield train crash cut to £7.5m. The record-breaking fine was reduced by the Court of Appeal after defence lawyers argued that it was excessive.

MP asks ministers to speed 7th July compensation — by Murdo Maguire — last modified 04-07-2006 05:29

Ministers are being urged to settle all compensation claims from those seriously injured or bereaved in the 7 July bombings in London.

Survivors meet Reid to press for 7/7 inquiry — by Murdo Maguire — last modified 23-05-2006 03:59

7th July attack survivors met Home Secretary John Reid yesterday and pressed their case for an enquiry into why and how the attacks happened. The government has thus far resisted calls for an inquiry of any kind. But Rachel North, who was caught up in the blast near King's Cross, said the taks had been "productive" and there had been a "willingness" to listen and co-operate during the two-hour meeting. Monday's talks came as the government pledged an extra £2.5m in compensation for those injured or bereaved by the attacks.

£2.5m extra compensation for July bomb victims — by Murdo Maguire — last modified 22-05-2006 08:41

Victims of the 7 July London bombings are to receive increased compensation after criticism about the amounts being offered. The Home Office said an extra £2.5m would be available due to the "exceptional nature" of the attacks. The government has already paid out more than £2m to victims. The additional compensation, which could double some victim's payments, will be distributed before the first anniversary of the bombings. Details of how the money will be awarded will be announced next week.

Two minutes silence for London bombings anniversary — by Murdo Maguire — last modified 18-05-2006 09:38

A two-minute silence is to be held on 7 July to mark the first anniversary of the London bombings that killed 52 people, Tessa Jowell has announced. The national silence, at noon, is to be followed by a memorial event in the capital's Regent's Park.

At last: £1m for widow injured in Potters Bar rail crash — by Murdo Maguire — last modified 16-05-2006 07:25

The novelist Nina Bawden, who was badly injured and left widowed by the Potters Bar train crash, has been awarded nearly £1m in compensation. The payment from Network Rail and former rail contractor Jarvis was agreed three weeks before the case was to go to court. Her husband Austen Kark, who previously held a top post at the BBC's World Service, was one of seven killed at Potters Bar in 2002. Network Rail and Jarvis said they were unable to comment on individual cases.

MI5 withheld evidence from Parliament on July 7th bombings — by Michael Evans — last modified 15-05-2006 08:23

The full extent of what was known about the July 7 bombers was not disclosed to the parliamentary committee that investigated intelligence failings in the run-up to the suicide attacks and cleared the organisation of negligence. The omissions have intensified calls for an independent inquiry into how Britain’s security machinery failed to thwart the bombings that killed 52 Tube and bus passengers.

Negligence and inquiry denied but Reid drops hints on 7/7 compensation — by Murdo Maguire — last modified 12-05-2006 07:10

A public inquiry into the 7 July bombings is not necessary and could divert resources from security, Home Secretary John Reid has said. Mr Reid told MPs he would invite bereaved families of the 52 victims to meetings so he could explain to them personally his reasoning. The Conservatives say there should be a full independent inquiry, while the Lib Dems want a full public inquiry.

July 7: official reports will say 'No intelligence failures and Iraq war not to blame' — by Murdo Maguire — last modified 11-05-2006 06:37

Renewed demands for a full public inquiry into the July 7 London bombings are expected after the failure today of two official reports into the terrorist attacks to identify intelligence blunders or a clear link with British foreign policy.

Buncefield - tanks overflowed for forty minutes — by Murdo Maguire — last modified 10-05-2006 07:27

A storage tank at the Buncefield oil depot was overflowing for more than 40 minutes before it exploded, causing a 32-hour inferno, a report has said. Fuel was piped into the tank for 11 hours before the blasts on 11 December.

Buncefield explosion findings published today — by Murdo Maguire — last modified 09-05-2006 07:51

A report into the massive blaze at the Buncefield fuel depot, near Hemel Hempstead, is expected to blame mechanical failure and human error. It is believed one of the storage tanks was overfilled with petrol but neither workers nor the alarm system detected high levels of fuel vapour. But the Health and Safety Executive will not specifically blame anyone, to avoid prejudicing criminal proceedings.

Poison research centre set up on Tyneside — by Murdo Maguire — last modified 03-05-2006 07:09

Scientists at a new research centre on Tyneside are to probe the links between poisonous chemicals and disease. Researchers at the unit at Newcastle University will try to find out which diseases are caused by exposure to toxic chemicals, such as pesticides. They will also advise the government in the event of a terrorist attack.

Move oil plants away from Highlands and Islands towns plea — by Murdo Maguire — last modified 25-04-2006 18:16

A call has been made for oil companies to move their fuel depots away from town centres. Council leaders from across the Highlands and Islands said the risks to their communities, highlighted by the Buncefield explosion, are unacceptable. There is growing concern over safety at sites in Lerwick, Kirkwall, Stornoway, Elgin and Buckie.

Britons caught up in Egypt bombs — by Murdo Maguire — last modified 25-04-2006 07:16

At least 23 people were killed and 150 injured after a series of devastating blasts tore through the Egyptian resort town of Dahab last night. The three explosions, which happened at around 7.15pm local time (1715 GMT), left the streets littered with body parts, glass and debris, and smoke billowing over the tourist bazaar.

IRA victims launch class action against Libya in American courts — by Conrad Murray — last modified 24-04-2006 09:11

Victims of IRA violence have launched a multi-billion pound law suit against Libya in the American courts. They claim Colonel Gaddafi's Libyan regime helped the IRA by supplying them with money, Semtex and other weapons.

7/7 bomb victim slams compensation payout system — by Conrad Murray — last modified 24-04-2006 08:03

A man who lost both legs and an eye in the London bombings has said he is disgusted he has to rely on the charity of friends and family for his future. Daniel Biddell, 27, was speaking ahead of the London marathon where many of those he now depends on will be raising money for him. He said the compensation system was not "geared up for a terrorist attack".

Inquiry into Sellafield nuclear flask fall — by Murdo Maguire — last modified 21-04-2006 14:35

A nuclear flask containing plutonium-contaminated material fell off the side of a wagon at Sellafield. The container from the waste depository at nearby Drigg was taken to the Cumbria site by rail and fell as it was transferred to a trailer on Thursday. The Sellafield Site Emergency Control Centre was set up as a precaution.

Scaffold death victim had heart attack — by Murdo Maguire — last modified 20-04-2006 12:56

The inquest into the death of a worker when 15 floors of scaffolding collapsed at a building site has been opened and adjourned until an inquiry is complete. John Robinson, 49, died at Milton Keynes General Hospital on Friday evening and a post-mortem examination has been carried out. The Milton Keynes coroner was told he suffered broken ribs and cuts to a leg. His condition appeared to be improving, but during a physiotherapy session, he suffered a heart attack.