Seven figure payout for rail crash

INSURERS of the lorry involved in Monday's rail accident could face a bill of well over £1 million after the disruption caused to East Anglia's rail services.

But most passengers caught up in the rail chaos won't get compensation, it emerged today.

The driver of the Freightliner train involved in the accident is now back at work, and the locomotive – which suffered minor damage – is due to be repaired at the company's workshop at Crewe.

It emerged today that passengers, apart from those who are members of Anglia Railway's Commuter Club, will not get compensation.

"There is a specific exemption from compensation claims for incidents that are totally outside the control of the industry," said Anglia's Jonathan Denby.

"Because of the time of the accident passengers knew about the problems before they started their journeys and many will have chosen not to travel on Monday.

"We appreciate that many have to travel to get to work and we did make alternative arrangements for them."

Mr Denby said there could be compensation for season ticket holders if Railtrack made a successful claim on the train companies' behalf.

The train operating companies, Anglia and Great Eastern, would be entitled to compensation from Railtrack for disruption of service.

But this would not cover their lost business. "We will lose out substantially as a result of this.

"When we had signalling problems for a day in March we estimated that we lost about £200,000," Mr Denby said.

Railtrack bosses are hopeful that the cost of the incident will not be too high.

"Fortunately the track and infrastructure was not damaged in the incident – the main cost will be that of staff.

"We can't say the exact costs – that will be a matter for us and the lorry's insurers," said a Railtrack spokeswoman.

Lorry driver Bob Mortimer, 47, of Washbrook near Ipswich, was today in a stable condition at Colchester General Hospital where he is recovering from his injuries.