The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) has released its report today into a runaway engineering wagon and its subsequent collision with a road-rail vehicle at Armathwaite, Cumbria on 28 January 2007.
The full report into the incident is available here:
A summary of the key points from the reports is included below -
Summary
On 28 January at about 14:15 hrs, a fault in a stabled engineering wagon's brake system caused it to run away and collide with a road-rail vehicle (RRV), which was being used for track renewal work. The RRV operator was shaken but uninjured and there was little damage to either vehicle.
The immediate cause was the wagon being left unsecured on the slope, leading to its brake system leaking off, and the collision. A causal factor was the unauthorised coupling and uncoupling of vehicles by staff without proper training. A contributory factor was that a train driver did not apply the handbrakes on the wagon.
Recommendations
The RAIB have made three recommendations as a result of this incident. These involve the procedures to couple and uncouple vehicles on track work sites. The recommendations have already been carried out by the engineering company involved.
Notes to Editors
1. The sole purpose of RAIB investigations is to prevent future accidents and incidents and improve railway safety. The RAIB does not establish blame, liability or carry out prosecutions.
2. For media enquiries please call 020 7944 4671.
Newsdate: 24 April 2008
