A government department has been fined £18,000 after admitting health and safety charges in relation to a terrifying runaway mountain tram incident.

Passengers feared for their lives when an historic tramway car sustained brake failure as it left the summit station on August 4 last year and careered out of control down the mountain.

It crossed the main road at Bungalow before the crew, wrestling with the manual brake, managed to bring the vehicle under control.

Some passengers said they had been in ’plane crash mode’.

In court on Thursday, the Department of Infrastructure pleaded guilty to five health and safety charges relating to the safety of passengers and crew.

Breaches covered staff training, the provision of a speedometer and a communications buzzer. Surprisingly, perhaps, none related to the trams’ braking systems.

Head of the Health and Safety at Work Inspectorate, Bernard Warden said: ’The incident was potentially very serious. It could have resulted in serious injuries or worse.

’I think the crew are worthy of real praise.

’We are glad the investigation had come to a conclusion. It is the culmination of a huge amount of hard work and we feel that penalties for the charges that were heard were appropriate.’

The DoI had originally been charged with 15 counts of failure to discharge a duty and two of failing to comply with regulations.

But Deputy High Bailiff Jayne Hughes heard that 12 of the 17 charges were withdrawn and the DoI admitted the remaining five.

In addition to a £18,000 fine, the DoI was ordered to pay prosecution costs in excess of £4,000.

In a statement, the Manx government said: ’The government fully accepts the findings of the court and is very sorry for the distress caused to passengers on board at the time of the incident.

’All recommendations from the investigation have been implemented and significant safety improvements were made to the Snaefell Mountain Railway before it opened this Easter.

’In addition to these changes, and despite none of the charges referring to the tram’s three braking systems, work is currently ongoing to install a fourth system in addition to those already fitted.

’We know that the incident caused a great deal of upset and would like to apologise to those on board at the time.’

The spokesman said recommendations made in relation to the charges faced by the department have been implemented.

Speedometers have been fitted to the trams and an improved buzzer system has been installed, enabling staff to communicate more clearly.

Green and red zones have been added to the gauges which monitor air pressure used to power the controls on the rheostatic braking system, to enable a clearer reading.