Train toll rises to seven

The toll in the Southall rail crash rose to seven yesterday with the death of another of the injured passengers.

The dead man was named as Peter Allen, 65, from Bridgend, Mid Glamorgan. He fractured his ribs, right leg and cheekbone in the crash and had injuries to the right side of his face. Mr Allen died on yesterday in the intensive care unit at Charing Cross Hospital in London.

Lawyers have already been contacted by dozens of people injured in the rail disaster in order to claim compensation.

More than 160 passengers were injured when a Great Western service from Swansea to London collided with an empty freight train a week ago. Total payouts to those hurt or bereaved could run into six figures, but no settlements are expected until well into 1998, after the public inquiry into the disaster.