Nevermind [VINYL]
£27.65Network Rail was fined nearly £4m after two workers, Gareth Delbridge, 64, and Michael “Spike” Lewis, 58, were tragically struck and killed by a Great Western Railway train in July 2019. The families of the two men shared heartfelt tributes, expressing the “irreplaceable void” left in their lives by the loss. Another track worker narrowly escaped the same fate, underscoring the dangerous environment faced by railway workers each day.
During the trial at Swansea Crown Court, Recorder Christian Jowett imposed the fine on Network Rail, emphasizing the company’s failure to implement adequate safety measures for its workers. Issues with safety policy had been highlighted prior to the incident, but improvements were not made, leading to the tragic deaths of Delbridge and Lewis. The families acknowledged that no legal outcome could fill the void left by their loved ones’ deaths.
The court proceedings revealed that the workers relied solely on lookouts for protection, which was deemed insufficient by Mr. Jowett. Visibility issues and a noisy work environment contributed to the lack of awareness of the approaching train, resulting in the fatal accident. Additionally, Network Rail’s track safety policy, Standard 19, had not been effectively implemented or improved despite previous incidents and initiatives.
Following the outcome of the trial, Network Rail expressed remorse for the “tragic” deaths and reiterated its commitment to enhancing workforce safety through technological advancements. The Rail Safety and Standards Board highlighted the need for a complete reevaluation of track worker safety protocols in light of the incident. The families of Delbridge and Lewis emphasized the preventable nature of the tragedy and urged for enduring improvements to railway safety standards in honor of their loved ones’ legacy
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