Rail crash probe as 31 are hurt

INVESTIGATIONS are under way into a crash yesterday between a passenger train and a stationary freight train which left 31 people injured, four seriously. The crash happened on a bridge near Wanstead Park station, east London when the passenger train, with 55 people on board, ran into the back of a stationary goods train waiting at a signal.

The guard from the passenger train, who suffered serious head and chest injuries was airlifted to the Royal London Hospital, where his condition was described as "serious but stable".

Both drivers were breathalysed and gave negative tests, said a Railtrack spokeswoman. The inquiry will concentrate on conditions on the track, braking systems on the trains and signals.