Personal Injury Solicitors

A report has been submitted to Watford Borough Council and the Health and Safety Executive, after a miniature railway derailed at Cassiobury Park in Watford last week.

Local publisher the St Albans Review reports that carriages came off the tracks, trapping children inside – one woman was taken to the local A&E department for treatment but was later released. Sai Rajesh, 32, and her four-year-old son Shivram were on the ride when it derailed. Mrs Rajesh said:

“We had been on the ride about ten minutes and it was coming to an end when there was a crash.

“There were children screaming and crying, and parents were running around looking for their children to make sure they were alright – it was chaos.

“Everyone was in shock, we didn’t know what to do and there were small babies on board – if something happened, to them it could have been even worse.”

Mrs Rajesh was taken to Watford General Hospital with injuries to her face. Trained paramedic Daniel Reichmann was also a passenger on the train and examined adults and children who were involved in the incident. He told BBC News:

“About two or three children were trapped under one of the carriages, but we managed to lift it off. One or two people were thrown out of the carriage.

“The driver was clearly shocked and immediately offered to refund the ride.”

Jeff Price took over running of the miniature railway in 1979 and said the incident had been the most spectacular accident since then.

“We are operational today, as normal,” said Mr Price.

“I have been running the train since 1979 and we now have the nice situation where people that came on the train as children are now bringing their grandchildren.

“We have a good relationship with the council and are working with them. The fact we have been operating here for thirty-five years speaks for something.”

Watford Miniature Railway leases the land from the borough council – a statement from the council reads:

“Watford Borough Council Park Rangers attended the scene. Nobody was seriously injured and the ambulance service was not called to the area.

“The train operator will be submitting a report today setting out what has happened to the Health and Safety Executive – and they will determine if further investigation and action is needed.”

It is believed that the incident may have been caused by a faulty spring.

Duncan Lewis Personal Injury Solicitors – No win no fee Children’s Accident Claims

Duncan Lewis personal injury solicitors can advise parents and children injured as a result of negligence on how to make a no win no fee claim for compensation, including claims relating to:

• Accidents at school or college
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Adults have three years from the date of injury in which to make a claim and children can claim compensation up to the age of 21.

For expert legal advice on no win no fee Children’s Accident Claims, contact Duncan Lewis personal injury solicitors on 020 7923 4020.