Family pleased at charges over fatal train crash

The family of a New Zealander who died in a British train derailment three years ago, said today they were pleased that five people had been charged with manslaughter over the incident.

Robert Alcorn, 37, a commercial pilot, was one of four people killed when an express train travelling at 180km/h derailed because of broken track.

Thirty other passengers were injured in the crash near Hatfield, 29km north of London, on October 17, 2000.

British Transport Police said three senior managers from Network Rail, the company that runs the country's rail network, and two from a maintenance firm faced manslaughter counts.

Mr Alcorn's mother, Greta Alcorn, said from Auckland that the family were "very pleased" a decision had been made to press charges.

"It had been hanging since the accident," she said. "It was something that might be going to happen."

She said the family wanted justice for her son.

"It was negligence -- they chose not to repair the line," she said.

"I'm not vindictive, but somebody has to be held to be accountable. We just want justice for Robert and his partner. It was a wonderful young life destroyed."

At the time of his death, Mr Alcorn had just won a coveted job with the McLaren-Mercedes Formula One motor racing ream.

Mrs Alcorn praised the work of British police, saying they gave the family regular updates about developments.

"They have worked from the day it happened and they have kept us totally informed."

She was unsure whether she or other family members would attend the court hearing in Britain.

"We will just wait and see what happens. It is going to be some time away yet."

Mrs Alcorn said she felt the loss of her son.

"We miss him every moment, but you have to get on with life."

She had received a call from London from her son's partner, former Palmerston North woman Angela Smith, who said the charges were major news in Britain.

"She is just pleased, just like us, that a decision has been made."

- NZPA