Until 6 January 2007, RSSB managed the rail industry's formal inquiry process.
Our role was to ensure that serious railway accidents were investigated thoroughly and independently, and that safety lessons were learned and acted upon. The resulting reports made recommendations to industry parties for the prevention of further accidents and the handling of lessons learned. Industry parties were required to consider the recommendations and take appropriate action.
Independent investigation of such events is now the province of the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB), which became operational on 17 October 2005. To view their website, please use the following link: http://www.raib.gov.uk/
RSSB continues to monitor progress against actions identified in response to recommendations and produces a status update via the Annual Safety Performance Report.
At 10:50 on 29 August 2007, a train was driven through a 20mph emergency speed restriction (ESR) close to Ty Mawr farm crossing at 75mph, reducing to 58 mph. There were no casualties, and no damage, as a result. For the full report, please use the link on the title of this article.
At 04:53 on 29 November 2007, a blocked road man (BRM) was struck and killed by a train while walking in the four-foot east of Reading station in darkness and rain. He was on site to remove detonators from the Up and Down relief lines following a T3 possession.
The BRM was wearing an approved high-visibility waistcoat, but is believed to have been using an umbrella in instead of full foul weather clothing.
For the full report, please use the link on the title of this article.
At 20:12 on 23 February 2007, an express passenger train derailed at facing points near Grayrigg in Cumbria. The train, formed by a Class 390 ‘Pendolino’ EMU, was travelling at 95 mph. All nine vehicles derailed, eight of which subsequently fell down an embankment; five also turned onto their sides. Of the 109 people on board, one passenger was fatally injured; 28 passengers, the train driver and one other crew member received serious injuries; 58 passengers received minor injuries. The remaining 18 passengers and two crew members were not physically injured.
For the full report, please use the link on the title of this article.
At 09:55 hrs on 29 August 2007, a patrolman, engaged in routine track inspection work, was struck by a passenger train near Leatherhead. He was seriously injured and was later taken to hospital by air ambulance.
For the full report, please use the link on the title of this article.
