Train crash passengers `laughed at the speed'

A SURVIVOR of the Southall rail crash, which killed seven people and injured 150, told how passengers laughed at the speed of their train as it headed towards disaster.

Debra Barton, 34, said yesterday that she was unable to stand up in the carriage because the train was travelling so quickly moments before the impact.

Giving evidence at the accident inquiry, Ms Barton told how she huddled on the floor with an elderly lady, covered in broken glass, after the collision on 19 September 1997.

"Just before the impact everyone was looking around the carriage because the train was going so fast," Ms Barton said. "It was very erratic. We all laughed about it because it was so fast."

Earlier yesterday a senior police officer described the rescue operation as the country's most successfully co-ordinated response to a disaster to date. Chief Inspector John Morris, who attended the crash scene, described the actions of fire, ambulance and police staff as "amazing and superb".

He said one family who lived close to the scene of the crash had offered their home as a centre for the co-ordination of the rescue effort.

Mr Morris said he met the train driver, Larry Harrison, soon after the collision and described him as being in a state of shock. On Tuesday Mr Harrison, 52, was led from the inquiry in tears after admitting that he was partly to blame for the accident because he had missed two warning signals.

During his evidence Mr Harrison maintained that the speed of the train was no more than 125 miles per hour, in accordance with track regulations.

The hearing in London was adjourned until today.