A railway worker was nearly hit by a 60mph train as he retrieved a bag from the tracks.
The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) has launched a probe into the incident at Rowlands Castle station, Hampshire, on December 19.
Related articles:
- Network Rail slams ‘staggeringly stupid’ TikTok of live railway photoshoot
- Anger over funding cuts for northern transport schemes
- UK railway news roundup
The Network Rail mobile operations manager was able to get on to a platform and clear of the train just before it passed through the station without stopping.
He avoided injury but he and the train driver were “distressed”, the RAIB said.
The man went on to the tracks without requesting that trains were stopped, according to investigators.
He was not aware of the non-stop service because he had contacted the wrong signaller to check if any trains were approaching.
An RAIB statement said: “Instead of contacting the signaller at Havant signalling centre, which controls the area including Rowlands Castle, the MOM contacted Petersfield signal box, which controls the adjacent area on the approach to Rowlands Castle.
“The signaller and MOM did not discuss the fact that Rowlands Castle was not in the control area of Petersfield signal box.”
The investigation will consider the factors affecting the man’s decisions and how people in his role are trained.
Advert
