On 14 February 2025, Network Rail was fined £3.75 million at Swansea Crown Court after pleading guilty to breaches of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. The sentencing follows the tragic deaths of Gareth Delbridge and Michael Lewis, who were fatally struck by a train while carrying out maintenance work near Margam, Port Talbot, on 3 July 2019. The court also ordered Network Rail to pay £175,000 in costs.
In a statement issued on 15 February, the families of Mr. Delbridge and Mr. Lewis acknowledged the sentencing as an important step in addressing the circumstances that led to their deaths. While no legal outcome can undo their loss, they remain committed to raising awareness of the need for stronger safety measures in the railway industry to prevent similar tragedies.
Cari Sowden-Taylor, Joint Head of the Serious Injury Team at Hugh James, which specialises in representing clients with life-changing and fatal injuries, attended the sentencing hearing alongside the families. Hugh James has represented the families since 2019 in respect of their claims against Network Rail for the losses they have experienced following the deaths of Gareth and Mike.
Cari was asked by the families to share their official statement in response to the outcome of the hearing:
“On July 3rd, 2019, Gareth Delbridge and Michael Lewis lost their lives in an instant, leaving an irreplaceable void in their families and among those who knew them. Their tragic and untimely deaths serve as a heartbreaking reminder of the risks faced by railway workers every day.
The profound impact of their loss continues to be felt deeply by their loved ones, friends, and colleagues. Gareth and Mike were not just workers; they were devoted family members, cherished friends, and valued members of their community. Their absence is felt in every moment, and the pain of losing them remains immeasurable.
What makes this tragedy even more devastating is that their deaths were preventable. The failure of both their employer and the regulator to implement and enforce proper safety protocols cost them their lives. This should never have happened and there needs to be accountability to ensure that no other family has to endure such unimaginable loss.
While we acknowledge the progress made in track worker safety since Gareth and Mike’s deaths, we urge all stakeholders in the railway industry to continue prioritising and improving safety measures. No life should be put at unnecessary risk due to systemic failures or inadequate protections.
Though no amount of change can bring Gareth and Mike back, we remain steadfast in our commitment to ensuring that their deaths lead to lasting improvements in railway safety. Their legacy must be one of change – change that protects workers, saves lives, and ensures that such a tragedy is never repeated.”
