§ Mr. DykesTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the derailment of the InterCity 125 express train at Harrow and Wealdstone which occurred at 8.50 pm on Thursday 20 July; and what decision he has reached on a public inquiry.
§ Mr. PortilloSix coaches of the 1400 Glasgow to London express passenger train carrying about 300 passengers became derailed as the train approached Harrow and Wealdstone station.
The train came to rest with the locomotive and leading four coaches standing on the rails in the station platform. The fifth coach was derailed and leaning over. The rear of the train had divided into two parts with a gap of 400m between the leading part and three derailed but upright coaches; and a gap of 35m between those three and the last two derailed but upright coaches. Twenty-six persons were injured, none seriously. Twenty were treated locally, and six taken to hospital. The emergency services were called by the senior conductor, using a passenger's cellphone, as the train came to rest.
The independent railway inspectorate and British Rail are investigating the cause of the accident. My right hon. Friend will not decide on the need for a public inquiry until he has more information about why the accident occurred.