Network Rail to face charges over deaths
The Office of Rail Regulation is set to launch a criminal prosecution over the deaths of two teenage girls who died at a level crossing in 2005.
Olivia Bazlinton, 14, and Charlotte Thompson, 13, were killed when they were hit by an express train in Elsenham, Essex, as they left for a Christmas shopping trip to Cambridge in 2005.
The father of one of the girls, Chris Bazlington said that he had been told by the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) that it would lodge charges at Chelmsford Magistrates Court over the deaths.
The case is expected to centre on risk assessment documents uncovered since the girls’ inquest that apparently reveal safety concerns.
Mr Bazlington said: “The senior prosecutor who carried out the inquiry is going into Chelmsford Magistrates Court to lodge the informations and the summons.
We never felt that we had heard the whole story. Chris Bazlington, father of Olivia
“We never felt that we had heard the whole story. Back in 2006 when the various inquiries were held there seemed to be unanswered questions, and we were very disappointed with the inquest at which Network Rail’s lawyers squashed discussion on rail safety.
“We are pleased that ORR has decided to take action. None of this will bring back Liv or Charlie, but hopefully, other families will not have to go through what we have,” Mr Bazlinton added.
David Higgins, chief executive of Network Rail, said: “This was a deeply tragic event. Since this accident in 2005 we have launched a major programme to update the assessments of all our 7,000 level crossings, improving risk management and safety, and we have closed over 500 crossings since 2009.
“When it comes to safety we will never be complacent and we continue to work alongside local communities, all the relevant authorities and other stakeholders to make our level crossings safer still.”