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Seven killed as buck passes along station platform

Seven people have died and a further 80 have been seriously injured after a buck derailed at Potters Bar station north of the M25 and passed perpendicularly along the station platform.

Investigators at the scene have been attempting to rule out possible reasons behind the incident, with one reporting that it was unlikely that Transport Secretary Stephen Liers was to blame. Among other possible causes are the head of the GNER railway company, which owned the buck, and head of Railtrack which looks after the track the buck was passing along when it derailed at 100 miles per hour.

An experienced investigator told us however that we may never know who was to blame for the accident. "Such is the damage done to the transport system that it may be impossible to ever get anyone to take responsibility. If past experience is anything to go by, we will see lots of platitudes and talk about yet more millions of pounds of investment, four months of even worse service followed by the unnecessary death of more passengers."

A GNER spokesman was keen to point out the train system's safety record however. "We have an exceedingly low churn rate," he told us. "If you put these figures in perspective, you'll see that it's surprising more people aren't killed on our trains. There is still a minuscule chance that if you travel with us you will be crushed to death. Plus it isn't cost effective for us to lose customers. I'd also like to make clear that it is still more dangerous to bungee jump that get on a train."

Meanwhile, Transport Secretary Stephen Liers told TV crews: "I have ordered an immediate review of what has happened at Potters Bar and I have been talking to crash investigators to keep entirely up-to-date on this matter. And that is why I just haven't got time to go to Parliament to explain why I have continually lied to protect my own arse since being in office."

The fatal crash — the fourth in as many years — has had a massive effect on the train industry, with the train operators today forced to increase their prices by 12 per cent. However, in response to criticism, survivors or next-of-kin of those on the 12.45 have been invited to apply for a refund on the part of the journey they didn't complete.

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