SURVIVORS and relatives of those killed in the Selby Rail Crash are still waiting for compensation claims to be settled - two years after the disaster.

Kevin Hughes, solicitor for many of the families who are pursuing claims in the wake of the train crash at Great Heck, said he had ten cases still outstanding.

He said that a further ten cases had been settled over the past two years, but added that others had been delayed because of court proceedings and the need to gather detailed medical evidence.

As many of the families of those bereaved or injured gathered at Great Heck today to mark the second anniversary of the disaster, the delay has been a source of frustration for those affected by the catastrophe.

Mr Hughes, at York solicitors Pattinson & Brewer, said he recognised those frustrations and hoped that progress could be made in the next 12 months.

He said in some of the cases the injuries suffered by those claiming compensation were so bad that medical forecasts had not been available before now.

He said: "In those cases where we are acting for the families of people who died in the accident, then we have commenced court proceedings.

"In other cases where the injuries were so serious that there was no possibility of a medical prognosis before now, the cases have not been settled because the medical evidence was not yet complete.

"It is frustrating for them. I am sure this is in the same way as those waiting for the appeal to be heard so there can be an inquest. I think my clients understand that and know we are trying to act on their benefit."

Meanwhile, at Great Heck, silent tributes were paid to those who lost their lives in the collision between a GNER express train and a freight train. One of those at the memorial garden was Margitta Needham, whose husband Barry - an EWS control worker - perished at Great Heck. Earlier, she laid a flower at the base of a tree, dedicated to her husband, at Burnby Hall gardens in Pocklington.

She said the pain of her husband's death had not eased. "It is a very difficult day. I am trying to reflect on the wonderful years I had with my husband," she said.

"I think of all the warmth he gave and I think that warmth helps me keep on top of everything today."

Updated: 11:05 Friday, February 28, 2003