Death of a Rail Worker

British Transport Police (BTP) are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of a rail worker on tracks in Warwickshire.

The 41-year-old man from Stockport, Greater Manchester, was killed while working on a railway line near Rugby train station, a spokeswoman for BTP said. No other details have been released about the circumstances leading to his death.

Paramedics attended but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

The spokeswoman said that an investigation into the incident had been launched. "Officers from BTP are jointly investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident with the Rail Accident Investigation Branch and HM Railway Inspectorate to establish the cause," she added.

A spokesman for Network Rail said: "A rail worker employed by Leda Rail was fatally injured early on Saturday July 12 while carrying out track works south of Rugby Station. A full investigation has been launched into the incident. Network Rail's thoughts are with the family of the deceased."

Copyright © PA Business 2008

David Urpeth from law firm Irwin Mitchell said: "The circumstances of this industrial accident are currently the subject of a detailed multi agency investigation.

"The railways are a potentially hazardous work environment. As such employers have a duty to assess the risks faced by workers and take steps to provide workers with a safe place and a safe system of work, designed to prevent work accidents.

"I represent many workers in claims for compensation who have suffered serious or fatal injuries in workplace accidents."