Families welcome prosecution decision

13 April 2012

The decision to charge six people with manslaughter in connection with the Hatfield train crash was welcomed today by families of the victims and unions but criticised by the companies involved.

Balfour Beatty defended its safety record and said it saw no plausible basis for the charges.

In a statement the company said: "We see no justification for manslaughter charges to be brought against our maintenance business or its former employees.

"The charge of manslaughter against our maintenance business will be firmly defended as we see no plausible basis for it in law or on the evidence. The individuals charged will have the company's fullest support in their defence of the charges against them.

"The health and safety of the travelling public and of our employees continues to be Balfour Beatty's first priority. Balfour Beatty people, fully supported by the company, are working diligently with the rest of the industry to deliver a safe rail network.

"Balfour Beatty's safety performance compares favourably with industry norms and is on a long-term trend of improvement, which the Group is committed to maintain."

The biggest rail union, the RMT, welcomed the decision to prosecute. General secretary Bob Crow said: "We have long campaigned for bosses to be held accountable if their negligence causes death or injury."

The union added that it still supported the introduction of a corporate manslaughter law.

Carol Bell, co-chairman of the Safe Trains Action Group, welcomed today's announcement.

Mrs Bell, who is a survivor of the 1997 Southall rail crash, said: "It is going to be really important for the families because it gives them a chance to put some kind of closure on it.

"If they decide to go to court it will be difficult but they will be glad that someone is taking responsibility for it," she said.

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