The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) have released a safety digest after a rail accident involving a train and a lorry at Penistone earlier this year.
The accident took place in August, with the train reporting striking of a stabiliser leg of a lorry parked next to the track. The train was travelling at 20mph when it hit the stabiliser leg. The lorry was using its crane to move a portable toilet onto its flatbed, with the stabiliser legs deployed to enable the lift.
Following departure from Penistone station, the train was accelerating when the lorry became visible. The driver spotted a person close to the lorry and sounded the horn to provide a warning. The stabiliser legs were not visible to the driver at that time and continued to accelerate. As the train drew closer to the lorry, the train driver could see that one of the stabiliser legs was extremely close to the rails and applied the brakes and just 5 seconds later the train struck the lorry.
The accident took place in an area within the railway boundary which had been used by the Central Rail Systems Alliance (CRSA) as a base for track renewal work.
According to the railway Rule Book, GE/RT8000, work taking place within the railway boundary fence that is more than three metres from the nearest running line and can be seen by the driver of an approaching train is defined as being on the ‘lineside’. A new version of the Rule Book is due to be published in December 2021 and has simplified the definition of ‘lineside’ by removing the condition of being visible to the driver.
The contractor did not undertake a risk assessment for working close to a railway line.
Rail Accidents
Rail accidents can have a variety of different causes. For instance, you can claim for compensation when there is:
- Poor weather conditions such as ice, snow, or slippery leaves
- Poor maintenance of train tracks and train cars by rail networks and train operators
- An obstacle on the track, like a tree branch
- Collisions with another train, or a vehicle at a level crossing
- Slips and trips inside the carriage or on the platform due to wet or uneven flooring
- Cuts from broken seats which sharp edges exposed
- Slips, trips and falls on a train
- Scalding from hot food and drink in the buffet car
Injuries caused by train crashes and derailments can have a devastating effect on victims and their families, in particular for those who suffer amputations or paralysis, or the families victims of fatal rail accidents leave behind.
How We Can Help if You Suffer A Rail Accident
Here at The Compensation Experts we work with solicitors who have years of experience dealing with personal injury claims. This includes rail accidents. Contact us today by filling in our contact form. Or call us on 01614138765 to speak to one of our friendly experts.