Accident Compensation Claims

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Paddington rail crash

Company fined a record £2 million

April 6, 2004

Thames Trains, a company involved in the Paddington rail crash was fined a record £2m at the Old Bailey for "serious omissions" in driver training which contributed to the head-on collision which left 31 people dead, and hundreds injured five years ago.

 
The company pleaded guilty to two breaches of safety law over the training of Michael Hodder, who drove his packed commuter train through a red light and into the path of an intercity train. Mr Hodder, who was also killed in the accident, had qualified as a driver just 13 days earlier.

The court heard that Mr Hodder, had not been warned about an "infamous" signal just outside Paddington station which was known to be difficult to see. Other drivers had complained about the light, which had been passed at red on eight occasions in the previous seven years. Prosecuting counsel Hugh Carlisle said Mr Hodder's training had included six pages of questioning on the track entry to Reading station - but not a single question about the more complicated route outside Paddington. "It is self-evident that if he had been properly trained, properly warned, driver Hodder would have paid greater attention to the signal and the collision would have been avoided," said Mr Carlisle.

The fine, though the largest awarded in a health and safety prosecution, drew criticism from those bereaved or injured in the accident. Some questioned the wisdom of fining companies which are dependent on public subsidy. Others described the sum as "puny". Bernard Clarke, a lawyer representing victims, said that the money could be used to compensate those whose lives were ruined by the tragedy.

Copyright 2003