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Charlene Faces Pounds 10k Hit Over Train Delays

Posted on: Monday, 28 November 2005, 06:00 CST

By Steven Ventura

A MUM-OF-THREE whose car plunged 40ft on to a railway line is facing a bill for thousands of pounds - because she delayed trains.

Charlene Sloan, 25, walked away virtually unscathed after the smash near Girvan, Ayrshire.

Her Ford Mondeo skidded off the road, catapulted over a wall and then tumbled down an embankment on to a railway track.

The vehicle was written off but Charlene was able to crawl out, suffering only a bruised knee.

Fearing a train could be derailed if it hit the car, she raised the alarm.

But she was stunned two days later when Network Rail chiefs told the factory worker she was liable for cancelled services and damage to company property.

The bill is estimated to be pounds 10,000. Charlene said: "It wasn't even a case of, 'Sorry to hear about the accident and hope you are all right.' "All they are interested in is how much money it's going to cost to fix the railway line and who's goingto pay for it.

"It is completely outrageous and I want an apology from Network Rail."

Charlene was returning home after a shift at British Dental Floss when she lost control.

Police later said it was mostly likely caused by black ice. Her car skidded as she neared a bend at a railway bridge on the B741 near Girvan, Ayrshire.

It toppled over the wall, ripped through a fence before overturning several times and landing on the line.

Charlene said: "It all happened in slow motion. When the car came to rest I couldn't believe I had plunged down the embankment.

"As I was walking away, I tripped over the track and that's when it hit me I was on a railway line."

The mum-of-three immediately called 999 from her mobile and told officers her car was smashed up on the Ayr to Stranraer line.

Rail traffic was suspended for about eight hours until a heavy crane was brought to lift the car off the tracks following the November 15 crash.

But while Charlene was recovering from her ordeal, a letter was being prepared by Network Rail officials.

It states: "The bridge is the property of Network Rail Infrastructure Ltd and accordingly you shall be held liable for any costs incurred by us as a consequence of this incident"These costs may include an inspection fee, material damage costs and anytrain delays."

Network Rail officials now estimate the incident cost them about pounds 10,000.

The bill includes damage to seven yards of wall, six yards of fencing, as well as losses incurred by cancelling a train and cutting another service short.

Charlene's partner Derek Fleming is also furious with Network Rail.

He said: "This could have been a very serious crash but all Network Rail care about is who is picking up the bill."

A Network Rail spokeswoman said any costs would be sought from Charlene's insurers: "It is standard practice when incidents like these occur to contact the party involved to find out the insurance details.

"We are not pursuing the individual

Source: Daily Record; Glasgow (UK)

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