Selby crash inquest date set

The combined speed of the two colliding trains was 142mph

The inquest into the deaths of the Selby rail crash victims is to take place next month.

West Yorkshire coroner David Hinchliffe announced the inquest will open in Harrogate on 9 September.

The hearing will be held at the Majestic Hotel and is expected to last five days.

Ten people were killed and more than 70 injured in a collision on the East Coast Mainline at Great Heck between a GNER express and a coal train in February 2001.

An official report determined that the two trains were travelling at a combined speed of 142mph.

The crash was caused by Gary Hart, of Strubby, Lincolnshire, who drove his landrover off the M62 and onto the tracks after falling asleep at the wheel.

Gary Hart was sentenced to five years in prison

He was convicted at Leeds Crown Court of causing death by careless driving and sentenced to five years in prison.

Last month, Hart, 38, was photographed strolling around the village where his mother lives.

He was on day release from North Sea Camp open prison in Boston after serving 18 months of his sentence.

News of his day release was greeted with anger by the families of the rail crash victims.