Investigation into a member of railway staff struck by a train at Stoats Nest Junction, near Purley, south London, on 12 June 2011

The RAIB is carrying out an investigation into an accident involving a member of railway staff at Stoats Nest Junction, near Purley in south London. The accident occurred at about 05:30 hrs on 12 June 2011 when a track maintenance manager, who was with a gang of workers, was struck by train 1U11, the 05:00 hrs service from Gatwick Airport to London Victoria. The manager was seriously injured.

At the time of the accident, part of the gang were replacing a section of rail in the crossover that connects the Up Slow and Down Fast lines. 

The Down and Up Fast lines were closed to traffic to permit engineering activities.  The line on which train 1U11 approached the junction, the Up Slow, had been re-opened to traffic just before the accident. At the point of impact with the member of staff the train was travelling at about 60 mph.  Following the collision, the train was taken out of service at Purley and was then driven to Victoria station for examination.

The RAIB’s investigation is independent of any investigations by the safety authority (the Office of Rail Regulation).

The RAIB will publish a report, including any recommendations to improve safety, at the conclusion of its investigation. This report will be available on the RAIB website.

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