Train derails north of London, killing four

LONDON - A high-speed intercity train carrying more than 100 passengers derailed north of London on Tuesday, killing four people and injuring 34.

Police launched a criminal investigation, but ruled out the possibility of a terrorist bomb. ''We are now satisfied there was no explosion,'' said Chief Constable Paul Acres of Hertfordshire Police.

The train had been heading from London's King's Cross station to Leeds, in northern England, when it came off the rails near Hatfield, 18 miles north of London.

Police said bomb threats had been made on Sunday to part of the rail line north of London, and bomb squad and police anti-terrorist officers were called to the scene in the hours before a terror attack was ruled out.

Great North Eastern Railway, the train's operator, said the cause of the disaster was not immediately known. There were no reports of the train striking anything.

The train derailed at 12:24 p.m. while traveling about 115 mph. Seven of the train's nine passenger cars left the track and at least three carriages overturned.

Three of the injured passengers were in serious condition, according to the Queen Elizabeth II Hospital in nearby Welwyn Garden City. One woman suffered a broken rib and punctured lung, while a man sustained a broken leg and another woman was being treated for a fractured spine.

British Transport Police said 100 to 150 passengers were on the train, which could have carried up to 600 people.

The buffet car was one of the carriages believed to be on its side, said Railtrack, the private company that operates Britain's rail network. Justin Rowlatt, a reporter with Channel Four News who was on the train, described the damage as ''severe.''

''The roof has been completely ripped off the restaurant car,'' Rowlatt said. ''The carriages at the back of the train looked like they were whipping around and have gone into some of the supports for the electric rails. I can see mangled seats, newspapers and bags in there.''

Several passengers reported hearing a loud bang before the train jolted from the tracks.

''It was the most horrendous noise I have ever heard. Just screeching and banging. It was terrible,'' said Dianne Hudson, 47.

Passenger Stephen Morgan told the British Broadcasting Corp. that the scene was ''mayhem ... there were ladies crying and everything.''

Firefighters freed two passengers who were trapped in the twisted train. Most of the passengers were treated at the scene by ambulance crews, officials said.