A RAIL company has been fined £12,000 following an accident in which a worker was crushed.

Duncan Hague 56, from Stalybridge, suffered five crushed and broken ribs following the incident at the Longsight depot of West Coast Traincare.

The Birmingham-based company which carries out maintenance of rolling stock pleaded guilty to two health and safety breaches.

City magistrates were told that Mr Hague, who is now back at work at the depot, was about to uncouple carriages from a tractor unit when the accident happened in January.

The engine stalled, but it was accidentally left in gear, so that when it was re-started it lurched backwards trapping Mr Hague.

The court also heard that failings in safety procedures had been identified at the depot a year earlier.

Mr Charles Arrand for the rail company said: ''The company's failings did not cause the accident, but they did allow it to occur.''

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