Near-fatal rail case

The Health and Safety Executive is prosecuting two rail contractors and track operator Railtrack following an incident involving a high-speed train which was misrouted onto a passing loop at Kenilworth in Warwickshire because of a faulty signal connection.

The case at Mid-Warwickshire Magistrates Court involving Jarvis Fastline, GT Railway Maintenance and Railtrack started two weeks ago but has now been adjourned until 5 January 1999.

A spokesman for the Rail, Marine and Transportation Union said: "This Kenilworth incident was the result of wrong wiring which also caused the Clapham crash 10 years ago."

The three companies refused to comment until after the court hearing.