Four die in UK train crash

The high-speed train derailed and at least three carriages overturned

HATFIELD, England (CNN) -- Four people were killed and at least 24 injured when a high-speed train derailed between London and Leeds.

The accident happened when two carriages from the 1210 p.m. (1110 GMT) Great North Eastern Railway train from London's Kings Cross station to Leeds in northern England came off the rails near Hatfield, 18 miles (30 km) north of London.

The area was cordoned off and eight fire engines were sent to the scene, where a buffet car was on its side and another rear carriage had derailed.

Officials from Railtrack, which oversees the UK's rail infrastructure, said the train, carrying more than 100 people, was close to the line speed of 115 mph for that particular section of track.

Around 60 firefighters worked at the scene of the accident, using cutting equipment to free passengers trapped in the wreckage. No fire had broken out.

ALSO History of tragedy on Britain's railways     AUDIO Reanne Thomas, a witness, describes the crash scene 483K/44 sec.. AIFF or WAV sound

Police have ruled out terrorism as the cause of the crash. A spokesman said Anti-Terrorist Squad officers were "satisfied" that there was no guerrilla link.

Earlier, police said telephone threats against the railway had been received on Sunday.

Police said the train derailed at 1224 p.m. between Welham Green and Hatfield.

Police spokeswoman Rachel Ditchfield told CNN that all of the train's carriages had been searched, and there were no more passengers trapped.

Those injured were taken to the Queen Elizabeth II Hospital in Welwyn Garden City, a spokeswoman for East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust said. None of the injuries were thought to be serious.

Railtrack said it was too early to determine the cause of the accident but a "comprehensive investigation" would be carried out.

Railway track at the scene of the accident was broken

The spokeswoman would not comment on the condition of the track before the accident.

Stephen Morgan, a passenger on the derailed train, told: "I just heard a big bang and then ... the train went over on its side. "I grabbed the nearest thing I could grab to get myself a little bit of comfort, and luckily enough I came through all right.

"The door was on its side so we managed to get that open to get some air in there in case there was any fire. The only thing I could say is mayhem ... there were ladies crying and everything.

"I'm okay, I'm lucky. Obviously I feel very sorry for the people who died. It could have been any of us."

At Leeds station a message was relayed via the arrivals board to say that the 1433 p.m. from London King's Cross had been cancelled.

The accident comes just over a year after the Paddington rail disaster in which 31 people died.

Two trains collided head-on after one had gone through a red signal in the crash in London.

An emergency helpline for anyone concerned about relatives or friends who may have been travelling on the train involved in the Hatfield accident has been set up: 0845 944144.

History of tragedy of Britain's railways

GNER
Hertfordshire Constabulary
Railtrack - Home Page

Note: Pages will open in a new browser window

External sites are not endorsed by CNN Interactive.