Rail wagon 'secured by two pieces of wood'

The rail wagon that ran down a rail line killing four maintenance workers was secured by only two pieces of wood, according to allegations which surfaced today.

The 18-inch-long pieces were jammed under the wheels of the wagon, which then jumped the blocks as rail was unloaded.

There was no evidence of an automatic brake being applied to the wagon, which was thought to be on the main line at a gradient of one in 74.

The Rail, Maritime and Transport union said the revelations backed up its call for a full public inquiry into the tragedy in Cumbria at the weekend.

RMT leader Bob Crow said information he had seen suggested there was a "total lack" of safety management by contractors.