The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) today released its report into an accident involving a derailment near West India Quay station on 10 March 2009.
A full copy of the report is available here:
Summary
At 10:02 hrs on 10 March 2009, the 09:50 hrs Docklands Light Railway service from Bank to Lewisham became derailed as it travelled through a set of points at North Quay Junction, just north of West India Quay station. There were no injuries to the 80 passengers or the passenger service agent on board the train, and minor damage to the train and the track.
The immediate cause of the derailment was that the train travelled through the points, when the points were not correctly set, and derailed. The RAIB identified that this was because:
- the passenger service agent did not identify that the points were not correctly set, and did not stop the train;
- the passenger service agent did not see that a point position indicator was unlit and stop the train at the indicator;
- the control centre controller did not intervene to stop the movement of the train;
- the control centre controller did not follow procedure and act to ensure the points stayed in the correct position;
- the control centre controller was not aware of the exact position of the train because he was using a track diagram display screen which did not show this; and
- the red lamp in the point position indicator was unlit.
Recommendations
As a consequence of this accident, the RAIB has made seven recommendations. Four recommendations are directed at Docklands Light Railway Ltd and three at Serco Docklands. These recommendations cover the following areas:
- criteria for the location of point position indicators and the review of their sighting and subsequent improvements;
- alarm management systems in the System Management Centre;
- the replacement of all point position indicators with ones that are more conspicuous when lit;
- adequate control of changes to the design and operations of the railway;
- reporting of unlit point position indicators;
- monitoring certain staff to assess levels of compliance; and
- training related to operations in emergency shunt mode.
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 3248.
Newsdate: 4 March 2010
