Rail workers narrowly avoid being hit by train near Weston-super-Mare
The train was travelling at 96 MPH according to a new report.
Last updated 18th May 2022
A new report has been released on the incident.
It happened at 1:10pm on the 14th of January, where a Cross Country service was travelling from Penzance to Newcastle.
The train was travelling at 96 MPH when it narrowly missed two track workers and struck a tree which was foul of the line.
The incident occurred at Uphill Junction, approximately 2 miles to the south-east of Weston-super-Mare, on the section of line between Highbridge & Burnham and Worle.
The track workers, who were undertaking de-vegetation work, when a tree fell on the line. They then moved down to the track to remove it.
The train involved was travelling near to the 100 mph when the driver observed track workers on the line ahead.
The driver sounded the train’s horn approximately 10 seconds before reaching the track workers with the expectation that they would move to a position of safety, where it would be safe to stand as the train passed.
The track workers, however, did not acknowledge the warning, or move off the line, so the driver sounded the horn for a second time and applied the train’s brakes.
The track workers became aware of the presence of the train after warnings being shouted by the Controller of Site Safety (COSS), who stated that he had been attempting to call the signaller when the train approached.
The track workers moved to the cess and clear of the line approximately 2 seconds before the arrival of the train, which then struck the tree.
Although the track workers were close to the tree at the time of collision, nobody was injured.
After the train came to a stop, the driver contacted the signaller to report the incident.
The driver then examined his train and discovered that it had sustained minor damage but was able to continue to the next planned stopping point, Bristol Temple Meads.
According to the Rail Accident Investigation Branch - This incident demonstrates the importance of:
Staff undertaking vegetation management in the vicinity of railway lines being aware of the risks that the felling or trimming of trees may pose to trains, and ensuring that any required control measures are implemented in line with the relevant rules and instructions
Those responsible for leading teams working within the railway boundary ensuring that they effectively control their team’s activities and implement and maintain the required control measures both in normal and unexpected circumstances
Organisations working within the railway boundary clearly communicating an appropriate and safe method of work to staff carrying out work which may affect the safety of the line
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