Rail crash inquiry demanded

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 29th Apr 1998

Carrickfergus Alderman Stewart Dickson commenting on this morning's derailment at Yorkgate Railway Station expressed serious concern about Northern Ireland Railways recent safety record.

Ald Dickson said:

"This accident following on from the recent accident at Adelaide involving a goods train requires Northern Ireland Railways to assure the travelling public that they are doing all in their power to ensure the safety of there trains track for their passengers.

"Although no one was injured in this mornings accident, it could have easily been a train full of school children travelling from Whitehead, Carrickfergus and Greenisland to Belfast.

"I saw the train myself this morning at Yorkgate and it is no doubt had there been passengers on board there would have been serious injuries."

Alderman Dickson is now calling for a public inquiry into safety issues into Northern Ireland Railways.

ENDS