Southeastern faces prosecution after train overshoots station by over two miles

A rail operator faces prosecution after one of its trains overshot a station by nearly two-and-a-half miles.

The Office of Rail Regulation, which recently brought a successful prosecution against Network Rail over the fatal Grayrigg crash, launched proceedings against Southeastern for alleged breaches of health and safety law.

It is alleged that the brakes on the 06:45 from Charing Cross to Hastings failed to stop the train as it approached Stonegate station in Sussex at 50 mph because the sand used to increase friction, especially when there are leaves on the line, was not properly applied. The emergency brakes were similarly ineffective and the train eventually stopped more than three miles from the point at which the brakes were applied, a report from the Rail Accident Investigation Branch found.