Staines, United Kingdom: RAIB report into pedestrian fatality

The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) has published its report into the pedestrian fatality which occurred on Moor Lane footpath level crossing in Staines, Surrey, United Kingdom which occurred on April 16th, 2008 (LXinfo December 2008).

The accident happened in daylight at about 08:10 in the morning when a passenger train travelling from London to Windsor and Eton struck and fatally injured a pedestrian.

The RAIB has concluded that the immediate cause of the accident was that the pedestrian fell to the ground on the crossing and was unable to avoid being struck by the approaching train. The causal factors sitting behind this accident have been identified as:

  • The pedestrian did not stop, look and listen before stepping onto the crossing
  • The surface of the crossing was slippery
  • Network Rail had not added a non-slip surface to the crossing, although this had been considered by Railtrack in 1996 and requested by Her Majesty’s Railway Inspectorate (HMRI) in 2005.

Additionally, the following factors were identified as contributory:

  • The angle, relative to the railway, of the south-eastern approach path and the crossing itself
  • The relative quietness of the combination of a modern train and track recently re-laid with continuous welded rail (CWR)
  • The level of background noise at the crossing.
  

Finally, the following underlying causes of the accident identified by the RAIB were:

  • The risk assessment processes operated for footpath crossings by Railtrack and more recently by Network Rail did not identify the risk of slipping on a timber surface. As a result a non-slip surface was not provided at the crossing
  • The difficulty of closing the level crossing, and its consequent continued availability to members of the public as a footpath.

The RAIB has made a number of recommendations relating to the provision of non-slip surfaces at footpath crossings; the operation of Network Rail’s computer system for managing maintenance activities; and, the guidance Network Rail provides to its staff who carry out the assessment and inspection of level crossings.

(December 23rd, 2008)

Grange-over-Sands, United Kingdom: RAIB investigating independently

The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) has launched an independent investigation into the fatal accident which occurred at Wraysholme, Flookburgh, near Grange-over-Sands, Cumbria on November 3rd, 2008.

As previously reported (LXinfo December 2008), the accident occurred when a passenger train struck a car on an active open level crossing with lights of the automatic open locally monitored (AOCL) type. The accident, which occurred in daylight, claimed the life of the car driver.

  

When announcing their independent investigation on December 9th, 2008, the RAIB said that their preliminary examination indicated that there were no issues with the condition or operation of the train that could have contributed to the accident.

(December 9th, 2008)

Bestwood, United Kingdom: RAIB investigating independently

The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) has launched an independent investigation into the fatal accident which occurred at at Bayles and Wylies footpath crossing, Bestwood Park, Nottinghamshire on November 22nd, 2008.

As previously reported (LXinfo December 2008), the accident occurred when a passenger train struck and killed a woman and a child who were traversing the passive public footpath level crossing. The accident which occurred in darkness, early evening, was on a crossing traversing both Network Rail infrastructure (where the accident occurred) and that of the light rapid transit operator which runs parallel. The level crossing which has a dog-leg as it crosses Network Rail’s infrastructure is gated and equipped with warning signs. To view the level crossing in context on Google Earth™, the coordinates are 53°01’ 07.91” N / 1° 11’ 12.68” W.

  

When announcing their independent investigation on December 3rd, 2008, the RAIB said that their preliminary examination indicated that there were no issues with the condition or operation of the signalling system, or the operation of the train that could have contributed to the accident.

(December 3rd, 2008)