Selby crash driver to stand trial

Ten people died in the crash in February

The driver of a Land Rover involved in the Selby rail disaster is to face trial, charged with causing the deaths of 10 people.

Gary Hart, a 36-year-old builder, from Strubby, Lincolnshire, appeared before Leeds Crown Court on Friday in connection with the crash at Great Heck near Selby, North Yorkshire, on 28 February.

The father-of-four was driving a Land Rover which left the M62, crashed down an embankment and ended up on the East Coast rail line in the path of the 0445BST Newcastle to London GNER express train.

Gary Hart's Land Rover crashed onto the tracks

The express, which was carrying about 100 people, was derailed by the impact and collided with a Freightliner train carrying about 1,000 tonnes of coal from the port of Immingham, Lincolnshire, to Ferrybridge, West Yorkshire.

Mr Hart is charged with causing the deaths of six passengers and four staff by dangerous driving.

Edmund Lawson QC, for Mr Hart, indicated in court on Friday that his client would plead not guilty to all 10 charges.

But Mr Hart did not enter a plea to any of the charges.

The hearing was adjourned and the trial was set down to be held in November at Leeds Crown Court.

Mr Hart was granted bail.

The 10 people who died at Great Heck were Clive Vidgen, 39, and Alan Ensor, 44, Barry Needham, 40, Professor Steve Baldwin, 39 and Christopher Terry, 30, all from the York area, Robert Shakespeare, 43, from Beverley, East Yorkshire; John Weddle, 47, and Paul Taylor, 42, both from Newcastle, Raymond Robson, 43, from Whitley Bay and Stephen Dunn, from Selby.