Further statement from Tim Farron MP: Virgin trains derailment

4.09.28pm GMT Mon 26th Feb 2007

Following the Virgin Trains service derailment, local Liberal Democrat MP Tim Farron, in whose constituency the incident site falls, has been speaking of his reaction:

"My thoughts and prayers remain with the passengers from the derailment, and their friends and families.

"I would like to pay particular tribute to the excellent work of the emergency services during the rescue operation overnight. In difficult conditions the police, ambulance service, fire service and mountain rescue teams worked with speed and professionalism to free the trapped passengers.

"Tributes are also due to staff at the local hospitals who treated the more seriously injured, and to the local community in Grayrigg who rallied round at a time of need to provide comfort, food and drinks to those passengers who didn't need to go to hospital.

"The priority now must be to find out what caused this derailment, so that we can prevent a similar incident happening in the future."