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Whitland train crash: Lorry driver, 48, is arrested

The driver of a hay lorry hit by a train on a level crossing in Carmarthenshire has been arrested.

Seven people on the Milford Haven to Manchester service suffered minor injuries near Whitland at 09:50 GMT.

Passengers were led to safety and shuttle buses are now running between Milford Haven and Carmarthen. Engineers are assessing the damage.

British Transport Police (BTP) said a 48-year-old local man was being held on suspicion of endangering safety.

Some passengers said they were amazed no-one was seriously hurt.

Five people were taken to hospital after the crash.

Arriva Trains Wales said just under 60 passengers were on its 09:10 Milford Haven to Manchester service when the crash happened at the Llanboidy level crossing on a minor road near a spot called Crossing Cottage.

BTP's sector commander for Wales, Sandra England, said: "Our investigation is continuing into the cause of the collision, including piecing together exactly how the vehicle came to be on the tracks at the time. As part of that investigation, the driver of the vehicle, a 48-year-old man from Llanboidy, Whitland, has been arrested this afternoon on suspicion of endangering safety. He has been taken to a police station in Haverfordwest, where he is assisting my officers with their enquiries.

"Measures are now in place to remove the vehicle from the tracks but in the meantime, the road on both sides of the crossing remains closed."

Passenger Skip Maloney told BBC Wales of the moments leading up to the crash. "The [train] driver slowed down just before we hit," he said.

He said he carried out first aid on a woman sat behind him but no-one suffered serious injuries. "I think everyone was suffering from shock a bit," he added.

Juan Giner who was travelling home to Spain said: "Everything was fine and suddenly the train stopped in a very strong way - very dramatically. The train continued for 100 yards moving the lorry along. It's incredible that the driver of the train survived because the whole of his room was completely crushed. I'm really thinking this could be an incredible tragedy."

Network Rail said all passengers had been led to safety. A spokesperson said: "Engineers are currently assessing the damage to the rail infrastructure and train respectively. Emergency repairs will be carried out once investigation is completed."

Work has started to prepare for emergency repairs and a crane has been commissioned to lift the lorry away from the track.

Network Rail engineers are expected to work through the night to restore services to normal as quickly as possible.

Train services between Carmarthen and Milford Haven have been cancelled and an amended service will be provided for by Arriva Trains Wales from Wednesday morning.

Passengers are advised to check with National Rail Enquiries or Arriva Trains Wales before starting their journey.

A spokesperson for the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) said it had an inspector on site.

"ORR will work with the BTP and other agencies to find out exactly what happened and quickly identify the causes of this incident," they added.

From the BBC (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-16248179):

Whitland train crash: Arrested lorry driver bailed

A lorry driver arrested after a crash with a train at a Carmarthenshire crossing has been released on bail.

The man, aged 48, was held after the vehicle was struck by the passenger service near Whitland on Monday.

Seven people on the 09:10 Milford Haven to Manchester service received minor injuries in the collision.

Network Rail says it plans to have the line open to run full services by Wednesday.

Buses continue to replace trains west of Carmarthen as engineers clear the track with the help of a crane.

Network Rail said: "The lorry and train have both been safely removed from the line and work is now focused on clearing residual debris."

Engineers are continuing to inspect and repair the track and signalling.

The Arriva Trains Wales (ATW) train hit the stationary hay lorry at the Llanboidy level crossing on a minor road near a spot called Crossing Cottage at about 09:50 GMT on Monday.

The lorry driver from Llanboidy was subsequently arrested on suspicion of endangering safety and questioned by British Transport Police (BTP).

Network Rail said engineers were working to restore services to normal as soon as possible, although substitute bus services were expected to run throughout Tuesday.

Passengers have been advised to check with National Rail Enquiries or ATW before starting their journey.

There were just under 60 passengers on board the train at the time.

Five needed hospital treatment.

Investigation into a collision between a train and a lorry at Llanboidy level crossing, near Whitland, Carmarthenshire on 19 December 2011

At 09:45 hrs on Monday 19 December 2011, train 1W21, the 09:10 hrs service from Milford Haven to Manchester Piccadilly, struck a lorry on Llanboidy automatic half barrier (AHB) level crossing, which is located about 14 miles (22 km) west of Carmarthen, near the village of Whitland.  The train did not derail but serious damage was caused to the driving cab.  Several people on the train suffered minor injuries or shock during the accident, and a passenger became ill while the train was being evacuated.  The lorry driver was not injured.

The RAIB^s preliminary examination has found that the lorry, which was carrying straw bales and towing a similarly loaded trailer, had stopped on the level crossing, with the crossing barrier on the exit side lowered in front of it.  The train, a two coach diesel multiple unit, had been approaching the crossing at about 68 mph (109 km/h), but an emergency brake application had reduced the speed to about 41 mph (66 km/h) when the collision occurred.  The train pushed the lorry about 80 metres along the railway.

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Collision at Llanboidy level crossing
 
The investigation will identify the exact sequence of events that led to the accident.  It will also include consideration of the layout of the level crossing, the actions of the lorry driver, the factors which caused the lorry to stop on the crossing and the crashworthiness of the Class 175 unit involved in the collision.

The RAIB's investigation is independent of any investigation by the police or safety authority (the Office of Rail Regulation).

The RAIB will report on its findings, including any recommendations to improve safety, at the conclusion of its investigation.  This information will be available on the RAIB website.

Driver is charged after train crash

A Llanboidy man is to appear in court in two weeks' time following a rail crash on the edge of Whitland late last year.

The 9.10am Milford Haven to Manchester Piccadilly Arriva Trains service, collided with a lorry towing two hay trailers at the Henllan Amgoed railway crossing, near Whitland shortly before 10am on December 19.

Oswald Huw Davies, 49, the driver of the lorry, was arrested after the collision and was later bailed to reappear at Haverfordwest police station. Davies, of Castell Pigyn, is to now appear before Carmarthen magistrates on June 6.

He faces a charge of endangering the safety of persons using the railway. No plea has been entered.

Heather Edwards of local transport firm Taf Valley Coaches said: "We're just lucky that it didn't derail. That would have been devastating. I've never known anything like that here."

The RAIB has made six recommendations as follows:

- Network Rail in conjunction with the ORR to revise the crossing order and reduce the effect of road misalignment at the crossing;

- The ORR to revise its guidance to cover misalignment of the road and the ability for a large vehicle to exit an AHB crossing when the barriers descend;

- Network Rail to revise its risk management process for level crossings to include the effect of road misalignment;

- Network Rail to give guidance to its staff and contractors on where to park when working on or near level crossings;

- Angel Trains to examine how to mitigate the risk to the driver from detachment of cab panels during a collision; and

- Alstom and Angel Trains to review the coupler bump stop mounting and retention arrangements.

Carmarthenshire train crash: Oswald Davies guilty plea

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This police image shows the vehicle alongside the train

A hay lorry driver accused of causing a crash with a train has pleaded guilty to endangering the lives of passengers.

The collision happened on 19 December last year when the train hit the lorry at the Henllan Amgoed railway crossing in Carmarthenshire.

Swansea Crown Court heard that Oswald Huw Davies, 49, of Llanboidy, had got out of his cab seconds before the collision.

He is due to appear before the court for sentencing on 26 October.

During a short plea hearing, the court was told that Davies pleaded guilty on the basis of neglect.

Barristers acting for Davies said a railway accident report mentioned that his view was obstructed by Network Rail vehicles parked alongside the crossing, and the lights on the railway crossing were not properly aligned.

The court heard that when the barriers came down Davies thought it was Network Rail staff messing about.

He got out of his cab to remonstrate and seconds later the train hit the lorry, the court was told.

Lorry driver who caused train crash given suspended prison sentence

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A lorry driver who caused a train crash at a West Wales level crossing after he ignored safety and warning signs has been given a suspended sentence.

Oswald Huw Davies managed to escape from his cab seconds before the collision at Henllan Amgoed, Whitland.

Following a British Transport Police (BTP) investigation, Davies, aged 49, of Castell Pigyn, Llanboidy, Whitland, was today (Friday) sentenced at Swansea Crown Court after pleading guilty at an earlier hearing to endangering the safety of persons using the railway.

Sentencing, Judge Keith Thomas said: ^This was a very serious incident and there was clearly a high degree of neglect on Mr Davies^ part. This incident resulted in a huge cost to the train operating company ^ more than ^819,000 - , but the potential consequences of the collision Mr Davies caused are far more serious than the financial cost. It must have been a hugely frightening experience for everyone concerned, especially the train driver who acted swiftly and conscientiously. The consequences could have been very dire indeed. The offence is so serious that clearly a custodial sentence is justified, but it is a sentence I am willing to suspend.^

The court was told that at 9.40am on Monday, 19 December 2011, Davies was driving his Scania flat bed lorry and trailer, and was on his way to make a delivery. He had a full load of hay, weighing upwards of 30 tonnes, when he drove up to the level crossing.

Road signs on the approach to the crossing clearly stated that drivers of large or slow vehicles must phone the signalman and get permission to cross. Davies ^ who later admitted he did not know the length of his vehicle - did not stop or use the crossing telephone.

His vehicle was struck by the 0910hrs Milford Haven to Manchester Piccadilly Arriva Trains Wales service.

The train came to rest 50 yards down the track, with the lorry wedged under its front.

Of the 49 passengers on board the service, which was travelling at 68mph, four were taken to hospital suffering minor injuries, one of which suffered cracked ribs. There have been numerous personal injury claims to Arriva Trains Wales and some of the passengers are receiving ongoing treatment.

The line was closed for two days following the incident to allow for the recovery of both vehicles. The train suffered a huge amount of damage and was out of service for 209 days, while the lorry was damaged beyond repair.

Total costs incurred by Arriva Train Wales as a result of the incident were ^819,821 ^ this includes recovery of the train, repair costs and the running of replacement services.

Davies was sentenced to 37 weeks imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, and was ordered to carry out 300 hours of unpaid work on behalf of the community. He was also told to pay ^1,200 prosecution costs.

Chief Inspector Sandra England, British Transport Police Welsh Sector Commander, said: ^It is astounding that no one was seriously injured or killed in this incident. Davies^ actions not only put rail staff and passengers^ lives at risk but also caused massive disruption to the rail infrastructure. Although Davies made a full and frank admission, this was an extremely foolish act, the severity of which is reflected in the custodial sentence he has received.^

Mike Tapscott, Operations and Safety Director, Arriva Trains Wales, said: "The severity and impact of level crossing misuse to the safe running of the railway cannot be underestimated."

An update, from the Western Telegraph (http://www.westerntelegraph.co.uk/news/10247629._/?):

Whitland train crash: Oswald Davies' suspended jail term

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This police image shows the vehicle alongside the train

A hay truck driver who caused a train crash injuring passengers has been given a suspended jail sentence.

Oswald Davies, 49, was told he had shown a "high degree of neglect" after admitting endangering passengers' lives at Whitland, Carmarthenshire.

The driver of the Milford Haven to Manchester train could not stop in time after spotting the lorry across the line, Swansea Crown Court heard.

Davies' nine-month sentence was suspended for 18 months.

The court heard 24 passengers suffered minor injuries in the accident which caused ^250,000 in damages to the train and the cost of diverting services. Bales of hay were scattered across the track after the train hit the lorry on the Henllan Amgoed railway crossing.

Davies, of Llanboidy, Carmarthen, was also ordered to carry out 300 hours of community work.

Judge Keith Thomas told him: "There was a high degree of neglect on your part. You were driving a truck and trailer carrying hay towards a sign telling drivers they must stop and phone to obtain permission to cross the line. You did not obey the sign."

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The scene on the day of the crash in December 2011

The court heard that Davies had driven over the same crossing hundreds of times in the past few years. He told Swansea Crown Court: "I was terrified when it happened but thankfully no-one was killed." But he claimed he did not think that the signs warning long-load drivers applied to him.

Judge Thomas said: "This deserves a custodial sentence but because of Davies's good character I am able to suspend the sentence."

After the hearing, Chf Insp Sandra England, the British Transport Police Welsh sector commander, said it was "astounding that no one was seriously injured or killed in this incident".

"Davies's actions not only put rail staff and passengers' lives at risk but also caused massive disruption to the rail infrastructure."

Mike Tapscott, operations director for Arriva Trains Wales, said the "severity and impact of level crossing misuse to the safe running of the railway" should not be underestimated.