A YORK train worker has relived the horrifying moment the GNER express he was driving derailed at 115mph, killing four people.

Christopher Swift was in control of the 12.10 train from Kings Cross to Leeds in October 2000 when it hit a broken rail on its approach to Hatfield.

Four passengers in the buffet car were killed as the coaches left the tracks and slid on to their side.

"We were approaching Hatfield, travelling along, everything was fine. A nice beautiful day," said Mr Swift, who was testifying at the Old Bailey trial of five rail managers accused of manslaughter - charges they all deny. Next moment there was a loud bang. I didn't see anything in the traffic in front of me."

Mr Swift, who was teaching a trainee driver at the time, said the brakes went on immediately and then a "violent pushing and shoving" began before the train came to a halt.

"I opened the door, went out to check the line, and as I looked out I saw the train was just slewed across the line. I pressed the emergency button, left a message telling them the train was derailed."

He then used tools to reverse the signals and prevent other trains from approaching the scene. But the two nearest trackside phones were dead and he was forced to walk a mile-and-a-quarter, the court heard.

Mr Swift, who is now a driving standards manager for Trans Pennine Express in York, said he returned to the scene to see if he could help.

Meanwhile, survivors of the crash have given tearful accounts of the moment the train derailed.

Sales director Karen Moore was in the buffet car buying a phone card. She told the court: "There were things flying over my head, a trolley or dust. I can remember looking at the track and I could see it going very fast beneath me.

"I can remember thinking about my little boy and that I might not see him again."

Those on trial are Nicholas Jeffries and Anthony Walker, of Balfour Beatty, the rail maintenance firm, and Alistair Cook, Sean Fugill and Keith Lea, of Railtrack, which owned the East Coast Mainline. All deny manslaughter charges.

The hearing continues.

Updated: 10:18 Tuesday, February 08, 2005