Seven people were killed in the Potters Bar crash

Fifty people died in 2002-03, 14 more than in the previous year.

The total, which excludes trespassers and suicides, includes 10 people who died in train accidents, including seven at Potters Bar in May 2002.

The total killed in such incidents during the previous 12 months was five, according to official figures from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

Some 13 people were killed while using level crossings and five children under the age of 16 died while trespassing, an increase of two on the previous year.

'Rise regrettable'

The HSE's annual report on safety said the number of train collisions, broken rails, track buckles, acts of vandalism and serious incidents of signals passed at danger (Spads) all fell.

HSE's rail safety director Alan Sefton said: "Overall, the railways' safety performance continues to improve.

"There was good progress in 2002-03 on a number of the key indicators.

"However, the reporting period also saw the Potters Bar derailment, which resulted in seven deaths. The overall rise in fatalities is regrettable."