Channel Tunnel rail link inquest begins in Gravesend
A jury has been sworn in for an inquest into the deaths of two railwaymen in a fire during the construction of the Channel Tunnel rail link.
Douglas Lynch, 50, from the Folkestone area of Kent, suffered severe burns in the blaze on a maintenance locomotive in Swanscombe on 16 August, 2005.
Mr Lynch was treated for his injuries at Broomfield Burns Unit in Chelmsford, Essex, but died four days later.
Darren Brown, 40, from Manchester, died inside the tunnel.
The blaze started a mile inside the tunnel, under the River Thames between Swanscombe, Kent, and Thurrock, Essex.
A total of 50 firefighters tackled the blaze on a train carrying cables used in the building of the new line linking Gravesend to London St Pancras.
The inquest, at Gravesend Adult Education Centre, was adjourned until Tuesday.