Daily Post

Lucky Escape ; a Packed Merseyrail Train Derailed at 20mph. Minutes Earlier It Was Travelling at Up to 50mph. How Close Did It Come to Disaster

A BUSY commuter train was derailed at the height of last night's rush hour, trapping 119 passengers in a tunnel close to Liverpool's Central Station. The West Kirby line train was travelling at no more than 20mph when it came to a shuddering halt 300 metres from the station platform, plunging the carriages into darkness. Minutes earlier, the train was moving at up to 50mph, leading to concerns that the accident could have had much more serious consequences for the passengers.

Dragons Boss to Appeal

WREXHAM FC boss Alex Hamilton was last night seeking leave to appeal over a legal judgement about who owns the Racecourse. A High Court judge declared last week that the valuable freehold of Wrexham FC's ground was "vested in the club" not Hamilton.

Rail Crash Terror in Liverpool

Probe at Post Office ; Postmaster Is Suspended As Auditors Go Through Books

Train Derailed: The Train Jolted and Just Started Going Crazy ; Commuters Had a Lucky Escape Last Night Alan Weston and Graham Davies Report

AT 5.50pm yesterday, 119 passengers on board the Wirral-bound train were heading for home, work, or a night out. But all this was quickly forgotten as the train began to jolt and carriage lights started to blink before finally it ground to a halt.

Uproar Over Axing of Kiln Air Monitor

VILLAGERS last night blasted an environment watchdog for axing a controversial new cement kiln monitor. The Environment Agency switched its sophisticated air monitoring machine from Penyffordd, near Buckley, to South Wales to check on another plant.

I'll Force Police to Publish Full Probe Into Deepcut ; Mp Says He'll Use New Law to Stop Secrecy

AN MP last night vowed to use new freedom laws to compel a police force to publish an inquiry into a North Wales army recruit's death. Mid Wales MP Lembit Opik said he planned to make the Freedom of Information Act bid because he was "sick and tired" of Surrey Police's "secrecy".

Zero Tolerance for Bullying

BOSSES at the controversial Deepcut army barracks yesterday insisted it was no different to any other training camp. And armed forces minister Adam Ingram insisted there was "zero tolerance" towards bullying.

Amazing Emma ; Olympic Cyclist's Rapid Recovery After Hit-and-Run Crash Nightmare

AN OLYMPIC cyclist who was almost paralysed in an horrific hit and run is making a remarkable recovery at her parents' North Wales home. Emma Davies-Jones was on her way to a training session in Manchester's Velodrome when she was mowed down by a car two weeks ago.

Hunt for Girl, 13, Missing with Man

NORTH Wales Police were last night hunting for a 13-year-old girl who disappeared with an older man. Officers said they were very concerned for the safety of Maxine Bindi from Lancashire, said to be with 37-year-old family friend Alan Keegan.

Train Derailed: Railway Service Records Reveal Three Mishaps and No Injuries

MERSEYRAIL has enjoyed a relatively safe history, with just three minor derailments in the last eight years, writes Deborah James. The last train to come off the tracks was also travelling on the Wirral Line, in May last year, when a service from New Brighton to Liverpool derailed just outside Birkenhead North station. Around 20 passengers had to wait for an hour before they were allowed off. Nobody was injured in the incident, believed to have been caused by slipped points.

Train Derailed: Some Services Back to Normal Within Hours

MERSEYRAIL services were quickly back to something like normal despite last night's derailment. The Northern Line was up and running with a normal service mid- evening between Hunts Cross and Southport, while the Wirral Line was running a reduced Saturday service from 8.30pmA normal service will run on the Northern Line today with a reduced Saturday service on the Wirral Line running as far as James Street. A bus replacement service will then travel to other stations along the route.

Train Derailed: Timeline of Events

5.50pm: Wirral Line service train derails between Lime Street and Liverpool Central stations 6pm: First emergency services arrive on the scene at Central station

Train Derailed: Accident Inspectors' Immediate Response ; Newly-Formed Investigation Team Starts Examination in Minutes

THE Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) trying to determine the cause of last night's derailment came into force on October 17 after calls for an independent organisation to look into train crashes and derailments. Last night's incident was the third matter referred to its North West representatives since it was formed.

Ex-Wrexham Favourite Clinches Clothing Deal

FORMER Wrexham favourite Lee Trundle last night scored a soccer first by bringing out his own clothing range. The chirpy Scouser netted a deal giving him a slice of all merchandising carrying his photo, sold by his new club Swansea.

Hamilton in Bid to Appeal

WREXHAM FC boss Alex Hamilton was last night seeking leave to appeal a High Court judgment over who owns the Racecourse. The contested ruling vested freehold of the Racecourse in the League Two club, not Hamilton's company.

Dragons Fan in Deal Over Secret Tapes ; Agreement with Former Chairman

A WREXHAM FC fan embroiled in a High Court case over secretly recorded tapes has settled with former Dragons' chairman Mark Guterman. Yesterday, Lindsay Jones revealed he came to an agreement with underfire Mr Guterman.

Holey Row Over Flood Barrier

A MID Wales landowner yesterday promised to knock holes in a controversial flood barrier. The Powys embankment was rebuilt without planning permission to provide protection for an historic mansion close to the Severn.

Hurt Trying to Stop Car Thief

A WOMAN leapt on to her BMW in an effort to stop it being stolen as a car thief sped away in it, police said yesterday. The 40-year-old was getting out of her car in Swansea's Hollet Road yesterday morning when a man pushed past her into the driving seat.

Train Derailed: Inquest Begins Into What Went Wrong ; First Task Is to Trace the Fault

RAIL accident investigators were last night trying to find the crucial evidence which could identify the cause of the Merseyrail derailment. A team from the newly-formed Rail Accident Investigation Branch as well as Network Rail and British Transport Police worked into the early hours at the accident site near Central Station.