Network Rail fined £20k after man killed by train

Network Rail Infrastructure has been fined £20,000 for its failure to inspect lineside fencing at Black Potts Viaduct in Berkshire following a fatality.

The prosecution was brought by the Health and Safety Executive's (HSE) HM Railway Inspectorate (HMRI) which was investigating the death of American serviceman Ronald Forest, who was struck and killed by a train on the Viaduct near Windsor on 26 February 2002.

During that investigation, on 4 April 2002, HMRI found that temporary lineside fencing was defective and had not been identified as such by Network Rail in the period following the fatality.

HSE's Andrew Stretton, who led the investigation, said: "People need to know that if they stray onto or even near railway lines then they are risking serious injury or even loss of life.

"Last year, over 100 people who walked on rail lines were hit by trains and killed. It is equally important that the rail industry takes steps to stop people getting on to its property."

Network Rail pleaded guilty at Maidenhead Magistrates' Court to a single charge of breaching Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act.