An investigation into the Selby train disaster by the Railway Inspectorate revealed there was no evidence of any failings in the system, an inquest heard yesterday.

Mike Smith headed up a team of eight from Her Majesty's Railway Inspectorate (HMRI) which looked into the cause of the disaster that claimed the lives of six passengers and four railway staff near the village of Great Heck, near Selby, in February 2001.

Mr Smith said his team looked at all aspects of the crash, with inspectors designated particular areas to look at, such as rolling stock, maintenance records and staff competence and training.

He told the jury: "There was no evidence that indicated failings in the railway operations."

He said there had been an "unfortunate combination of circumstances'' which led to the disaster and a ''similar event may not result in derailment".

"Sad as the event was, there are lessons to be learnt for future safety improvements," he said.

The inquest, being held at the Majestic Hotel, in Harrogate, was told the crash happened after a Land Rover, being driven by Gary Hart, plunged off the M62 motorway onto the East Coast mainline.

Moments later it was struck by a high-speed GNER express train which derailed and then struck a fully-laden freight train travelling in the opposite direction.

Hart, of Strubby, Lincolnshire, was later convicted of ten counts of causing death by dangerous driving and sentenced to five years in prison.

The jury has now retired to consider its verdict.