MID-Worcestershire MP Peter Luff is calling for closer regulations of farm labour after three immigrant workers were killed in Monday's train crash.

Mr Luff - a passenger on the high-speed express that smashed into the minibus at White House Farm in Charlton, near Evesham - yesterday tabled a raft of written questions at Westminster.

He is hoping the triple-death accident could kick-start a campaign for new laws after it emerged the driver of the van may have been foreign and not aware that he had to phone ahead to see if the rail crossing was clear.

His main concern is that people without a British licence can legally drive in the UK, if they have passed a test in their own country.

"The fundamental question is not so much the safety of unmanned farm crossings, but the warnings and training provided to people using them," he said.

"Reputable local employers of casual foreign labour - the so-called gangmasters - have expressed concern to me about the fact that many foreign workers are using out-of-date international licences, drive unlicensed mini-vans, and are often working illegally anyhow.

"Local growers need foreign casual labour, but we must make sure that they are driving on British roads safely and legally and meet all health and safety requirements."

Land owners Simms & Woods have denied reports by some national papers that they were using illegal immigrants and were not treating their workers properly.

Correctly

"We do everything correctly according to the law, and pride ourselves in carrying out working arrangements in the right manner," said director James Massingham.

This wasn't enough for Mr Luff though who added: "Whatever the result of the inquiry into the accident, I hope it will focus attention on the need to drive up standards in the gangmaster business, to the standards that the best already follow."

Mr Luff, who was travelling in the front carriage on his way to Westminster at the time of the incident, praised the emergency services.

"Everyone coped with this tragedy magnificently - from the train driver who stopped the train so quickly and safely, to the ambulance paramedic who spoke in Arabic to the Iraqi survivors of the accident.

"The passengers on the train were looked after splendidly by the First Great Western train crew, and the police, fire and ambulance crews did their jobs with their usual outstanding professionalism."

Crash scene repeated 48 years later - almost to day

HISTORY has repeated itself at the scene of Monday's crash.

Almost 48 years ago to the day, a lorry driver was killed when a train smashed into his vehicle as it crossed the same track at Charlton, near Evesham.

Three immigrant workers were killed in Monday's disaster when their minibus was hit by a high-speed intercity train.

On Friday, June 24, 1955, Sidney Brown, a 27-year-old from Port Street in Evesham, was killed when a steam train smashed into his lorry.

He died in a ditch at the side of the railway as ambulance workers tried to lift him on to a stretcher.

His wife, Enid, gave birth to the couple's third child three days later.

A passenger in the lorry, 15-year-old David Doggett, survived the crash but suffered serious head injuries and was treated at Birmingham Accident Hospital.

Tore along track

The Evening News and Times - now known as the Worcester Evening News-- reported that no one on the Evesham to Worcester train was injured "though the engine tore along the track on its side, ripping its way through the rails and sleep-

ers, smashing them into matchwood."

"The lorry, loaded with cauliflowers and lettuce was thrown aside as though it were a matchbox and finished upside down about 30 yards from where the impact took place," read the report.

Peter Tustin was 17 when the 1955 crash happened, and the coverage of Monday's incident triggered some vivid memories.

Living in Stoulton, he frequently travelled to Evesham by train to go to the cinema.

"I remember seeing the train lying on its side, and it stayed there for several days," he said.

"I remember the lad was unconscious for months and months and players from Birmingham City football team visited him."

Driver may face charges

TRANSPORT police have said they have not ruled out charging the driver of the minibus in Monday's train crash with manslaughter.

Three labourers died and three were seriously injured in the accident.

Investigations are still continuing into the cause of the tragedy, which happened on Monday, after initial British Transport Police inquiries revealed the vital phone call to check safety was not made.

"Investigations are continuing into the circumstances of the accident," said Det Insp Huw Jones of the British Transport Police.

"We will be liaising with the Crown Prosecution Service. If evidence is forthcoming the driver of the vehicle may or may not be charged with any offences, including manslaughter."

Police feared they might never be able to identify the deceased as the men apparently did not know one another and were from Asia, Somalia and Iraq.

However, British Transport Police have said they are "confident" the deceased will be identified in the next couple of days.

Body to be examined

A POST mortem is due to be held today on the body of a man found dead at White House Farm, Charlton, near Evesham, the scene of Monday's minibus tragedy.

Officers were called to the farm at 2pm on Sunday, where they found the man, who is believed to be an agricultural worker.

Police were not releasing more details until the next of kin had been informed, but said they were not linking the death to the crash.

Body to be examined

A POST mortem is due to be held today on the body of a man found dead at White House Farm, Charlton, near Evesham, the scene of Monday's minibus tragedy.

Officers were called to the farm at 2pm on Sunday, where they found the man, who is believed to be an agricultural worker.

Police were not releasing more details until the next of kin had been informed, but said they were not linking the death to the crash.