Good afternoon, these are the latest lunchtime ECHO headlines.
Kirkby train crash driver sent WhatsApp message seconds before station smash
The train driver who crashed a Merseyrail service into Kirkby station was using WhatsApp less than 30 seconds before the incident.
Phillip Hollis claimed he had been distracted by a fallen bag and a dropped Lucozade bottle as he approached the station last March.
The 59-year-old admitted the allegation and is due to be sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court next month.
READ MORE: Driver 'can't explain' how £125,000 got into the boot of Range Rover
The accusation followed dramatic scenes at Kirkby station on the evening of Saturday, March 13.
Read the full story here.
Road blocked by emergency services after three car crash
A road was blocked by emergency services after a three car crash.
Police received reports of the crash at the junction of Hawkshead Street and Tithebarn Road in Southport at 9.25am today.
Pictures from the scene show three cars with damage, with a black Nissan Micra and grey Citroën appearing to have suffered the most.
Firefighters were also pictured at the scene, with two police cars and an ambulance.
Read the full story here.
Suspected Encrochat drug dealer named by police
Police have named a suspected Encrochat drug dealer.
Martin Lamb has been charged with conspiracy to supply heroin, cocaine and cannabis through the encrypted messaging platform, known as Encrochat.
The 33-year-old, of Ibbotsons Lane, Mossley Hill, is in custody and will appear in court this morning, Thursday, February 10.
Read the full story here.
