Selby train death toll could be lower

The scene of Wednesday's crash

The death toll from the Selby train disaster may not be as bad as initially feared after British police revealed ten, rather than 13 people may have died.

At least 70 people were injured on Wednesday when the GNER express ploughed into a Land Rover on the East Coast line near Selby in Yorkshire.

Earlier today a transport police spokesman said parts of the high- speed passenger train were so badly damaged specialist body recovery officers had been unable to make further progress at the crash scene.

No victims have been named by authorities or legally identified but Railtrack has confirmed five of the rail operators' staff died in the crash, including both train drivers.

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DNA testing will officially confirm the identity of victims but this will take a number of days.

A giant crane was today due to move coaches belonging to the wrecked train from their resting place in nearby fields. Police said it could take 10 days to clear the track. The discovery of more bodies during the process has not been ruled out.

Detectives were still trying to ascertain how the Land Rover came to cause the accident, the fourth fatal rail crash in Britain in as many years.

The family of Mr Gary Hart, who had been driving the Land Rover, towing a trailer loaded with an empty car, denied he had fallen asleep at the wheel.

If Mr Hart (36) is found to be responsible for the crash, it could produce what newspapers have described as Britain's biggest car insurance claim. But if no one is blamed, then victims and their relatives might not receive compensation.

At a press conference, Mr Hart’s wife Elaine broke down in tears, saying her husband was devastated by the accident. Earlier his stepfather Mr Martyn Taylor described him as being "inconsolable with grief".

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