LONDON BOMBINGS TRAIN DRIVER COMPENSATED

RMT helpline 0800 3763706 :: march 2009 :: RMTnews 25 A tube train driver who helped seriously injured passengers following the London bombings has won a three-year fight for compensation with the backing of the RMT. Stuart Bell, 57, from Waltham Cross in Hertfordshire, was driving a train in the London Underground in July 2005 when four bombs exploded on three trains and a bus killing 52 people. Despite being psychologically traumatised by the event, and being forced to go on sick leave for a year, he was denied compensation from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Association (CICA), a government organisation which pays money to those who have been physically or mentally injured because they were the victims of a violent crime. The original offer to Mr Bell from CICA was their minimum award of just £1,000. This was challenged when the RMT stepped in with its lawyers Thompsons Solicitors. Following an appeal CICA eventually awarded Mr Bell £4,400. Mr Bell was driving a train in the underground when the attacks happened. He drove his train to Russell Square where he helped passengers injured from the bomb which had gone off on the southbound Piccadilly Line train. The dad of four said: “It was horrendous. I helped with the evacuation of the station at Russell Square before the police arrived. Some of the passengers were in a terrible state. “I’m not a hero. I did what I could to help, just like anyone would but the events of that day will always be with me. “I was off work for 12 months afterwards. I couldn’t believe it when CICA said that because I was not at reasonable fear of immediate physical harm I was not entitled to compensation. I may not have sustained a physical injury but mentally the events of that day will never leave me. We had no idea how many bombs there were and now it is a constant fear while driving in the underground.” RMT general secretary Bob Crow said: “The CICA’s approach to this case was extremely unsympathetic. Mr Bell had to wait almost three years to get this result. With the unions support he was able to successfully challenge CICA’s decision.” Andrew Hutson, from Thompsons Solicitors, has dealt with more than 25 CICA claims for the RMT. He said: “Mr Bell’s actions on the day of the bombings were heroic. He helped hundreds of underground passengers to safety and provided first aid to those who were injured in surroundings which resembled a battleground. He may not have been injured in the blasts himself but as a result of his actions he suffered Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and was on sick leave for 12 months. “It is only right that he is compensated on the same level as someone who was physically injured by the bombings.” LEGAL REPORT... TUBE BOMBING HERO WINS RMT CLAIM