Lift ban after rail workers fall

The three workers were taken to hospital following the fall

Network Rail has withdrawn the use of hydraulic hoists after three workers were injured in a fall.

The workers were repairing overhead cables on the Norwich to London line when they fell up to 20ft (6m) from an elevated platform on 11 June.

The Rail Maritime and Transport union had called on the firm to withdraw the hoists pending an investigation into the accident near Ingatestone, Essex.

Network Rail said the hoists will not be used until the inquiry concludes.

Bob Crow, union general secretary, said: "This was an appalling accident which has left one of our members, only a few months from retirement, fighting for his life, but the tragedy is that it clearly should never have happened.

"Our thoughts are with those who have been injured and their families, but our members are angry that the concerns of those who use these machines were ignored and there is an alarming pattern emerging here.

"We have been warning that safety standards are suffering because of the increasing pressure on Network Rail to save money."

An investigation into the incident is being carried out by British Transport Police.