§ Mr. Gordon PrenticeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many people were killed by trains in each year since 1995; and what estimate he has made of how many such deaths were suicides. [106704]
§ Mr. HillFor the period 1 April 1995–31 March 1999, the number of people killed by trains was:
Year Total fatalities Suicides Passenger fatalities in train accidents 1995–96 249 131 1 1996–97 249 119 1 1997–98 278 147 7 1998–99 254 123 0 The figures include all fatalities due to train accidents and the movement of trains reported to the Health and Safety Executive's (HSE's) HM Railway Inspectorate. However, 1998–99 was the first time in 5 years (ie since privatisation) that no passenger was killed in a train accident.
The figures for suicides are included in the total fatalities figures. The total figures also include fatalities to trespassers which have averaged well over 100 a year. The figures in this table are based on published statistics, subject to subsequent change by Coroners verdicts, which are contained in the HSE Chief Inspector of Railways' Annual Reports on Railway Safety for Great Britain, and are available in the House Library.