Industry news
Parents 'told of rail deaths plea'
Posted Mon, 30 Jan 2012
The father of a teenager killed with her friend at a level crossing in Essex claims Network Rail (NR) will plead guilty to breaching health and safety laws.
The Office of Rail Regulation announced last year that it would prosecute NR over the deaths of the girls. The decision in November came after the regulator reopened its probe into the 2005 accident. A NR spokesman would not confirm how the company would plead when proceedings open at Basildon Magistrates' Court on Tuesday. But father Chris Bazlinton said he has been contacted by the rail authority, which he claims indicates it will admit criminal liability.
Mr Bazlinton's daughter Olivia, 14, was killed alongside Charlotte Thompson, 13. They were hit by a train as they crossed tracks at Elsenham station.
NR faces two charges under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 and one charge under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.
Copyright Press Association 2012