REGARDING Gary Hart, I believe that remorse of such gigantic proportions would be 'contained' by one's brain in an effort to remain sane. The greater part of most people's suffering never sees the light of day.

Everyone is the victim of circumstances beyond their control, with the exception of pre-meditated crime for gain.

Gordon Ross,

Huntington Road,

York.

Are tracks safe?

IT'S clear that Great Heck was a train crash caused by a car accident. But could it happen again?

What fail-safe procedures do the rail companies now have to warn trains of cars and other objects on the line? (And don't say "it couldn't happen" please GNER!)

John Bibby,

Straylands Grove,

York.

Innuendo, not proof

"EVERY time he speaks this wretched man causes his victims more agony" (Comment, October 26) - these are my sentiments exactly every time the Evening Press drags up Gary Hart's name in order to sell a few more papers.

Especially the lie, for which you never apologised, that he was trying to sell a painting.

There is a myth concerning British jurisprudence that you are innocent until proven guilty. Hart was convicted by innuendo not evidence. No proof could be found that he fell asleep.

For many years I was subject to being called from my bed to deal with emergencies, resulting in sleep deprivation. It is not at 6am that you feel tired but around two to four in the afternoon.

At 6am your brain tells your body to prepare for a day's work, at two in the afternoon your body tells your brain it's had enough so your brain starts to shut down.

Colleagues of mine have been known to go straight onto the golf course after similar sleep deprivation lasting all night.

There is plenty of fresh news to be reported every day without you regurgitating Gary Hart with such monotonous regularity.

K Barnes,

North View,

Catterton.

Editor's note: The Evening Press did not "drag up" this issue. The story was brought back into the public domain by Gary Hart's appearance on national TV which also prompted a York man - one of the victims in the Great Heck disaster - to break his three-year silence.

Updated: 09:38 Friday, October 29, 2004