UK INVESTIGATES TRAIN DERAILMENT IN ESSEX AS 62 ESCAPE INJURY
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By; Sunmola Ganiyat
Britain’s Rail Accident Investigation Branch has launched an investigation into the derailment of a passenger train in Essex, two weeks after the incident left all 62 people on board unharmed.
The Greater Anglia-operated train derailed at about 2:08pm on August 14 while travelling from Southend Victoria to London Liverpool Street. The incident occurred approximately 2.1 miles (3.4km) south-east of Wickford station.
According to the Rail Accident Investigation Branch, the train consisted of two Class 720 electric multiple units, each made up of five carriages.
The rearmost carriage derailed, with its wheels continuing to run over the sleepers and ballast for about 1.5 miles (2.4km).
Despite the derailment, the train remained upright and no injuries were reported among the estimated 62 passengers and crew on board.
The RAIB said preliminary analysis of data from the train’s on-board recorder showed that it was travelling at about 77mph (124km/h) when the derailment occurred.
The driver reportedly noticed a kink in the track, which caused the driving cab to rock as the train passed over it.
Forward-facing CCTV footage recovered from the train also showed a misalignment in the track at the same location where the driver noticed the irregularity and where the derailment occurred.
The driver was reportedly preparing to alert the signaller about the condition of the track when an emergency call was received from another train travelling in the opposite direction. He subsequently applied the train’s brakes.
INVESTIGATION
The RAIB said its investigation would examine the sequence of events leading to and during the derailment, the actions of those involved and other factors that may have contributed to the incident.
Investigators will also assess the condition of the track at the location and how it was maintained.
Particular attention will be paid to the effectiveness of measures designed to reduce the risks associated with operating trains during periods of hot weather.
The investigation will also examine the train’s performance during the derailment and any underlying management factors.
The derailed train sustained damage, while the train travelling in the opposite direction suffered minor damage from ballast thrown onto the track.
The incident also caused extensive damage to the railway track, signalling equipment and overhead electrification infrastructure.
The RAIB stressed that its investigation is independent of any separate inquiry being conducted by the railway industry or the Office of Rail and Road, the sector’s regulator.
The agency said its findings and any safety recommendations arising from the investigation would be published after the probe is completed.
The investigation will seek to determine why the track became misaligned, whether hot weather played a role in the track condition and how the train remained upright despite travelling at high speed after the derailment.
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