Rail bosses could be charged over Hereford level crossing death

Feb 14 2010 by Ben Goldby, Sunday Mercury

RAIL bosses and signal workers could face criminal charges over the death of a Midland mum at a level crossing, the Sunday Mercury can reveal.

Hairdresser Jane Harding, 52, was killed last month when her car was hit by a train in Moreton-on-Lugg, Herefordshire.

The popular mum-of-one was buried after a moving ceremony at Hereford Cathedral on Thursday.

Now the Sunday Mercury has learned that files from a British Transport Police investigation into the crash are due to be handed to the Crown Prosecution Service.

And if CPS lawyers believe there is enough evidence, they could bring manslaughter or criminal negligence charges against the train company and its employees.

A source close to the probe said: “We’re trawling through CCTV footage and looking at a lot of forensic evidence.

“We’re consulting with the CPS to see if they want to take it further. If they do, it could be Network Rail, or individual members of staff who are charged over the failures.