Final carriage from Salisbury train crash leaves site
Five carriages in total were lifted by crane
Last updated 7th Nov 2021
A week on from the train crash in Salisbury and the damaged carriages have now all been removed.
A huge recovery operation saw five carriages pulled from Fisherton Tunnel and lifted by crane onto London Road where they were taken away by huge lorries.
Carriages which weren't damaged were able to be taken away via the railway.
It's been a complex operation with some carriages proving particularly difficult to extract.
Some of the carriages were wrapped in tarpaulin as they were badly damaged while the wheels also had to be removed and taken away separatley.
It's understood passengers belongings have also been recovered from the two trains involved in the collision.
Almost a hundred people were evacuated following the crash at 6.46pm on the 31st October which involved a Great Western Railway service and South Western Railway train.
13 people were treated at Salisbury District Hospital whilst one of the train drivers was taken to Southampton General Hospital with serious injuries.
Investigations into the cause of the crash continue but initial findings by the Rail Accident Investigation Branch indicate wheel slippage was the cause.
Repairs to the track
It's hoped repairs to the infrastructure will begin tonight.
London Road will remain closed until at least Tuesday morning as some of the equipment and materials will be need to delivered to the site.
On their social media account Network Rail Wessex explained the huge task;
"We’re expecting to replace 1,456 sleepers, three sets of points, the moveable rails which enable trains to change course, 1,010 yards of new track and 3km of cable for signalling and power supply."
Disturbance for Salisbury residents
The repairs will involve working at night with residents warned to expect noise until at least the 14th of November.
Residents in the vicinity of the crash site have been sent a letter.