From the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (
RAIB▸ )
website:
Near-miss involving track workers near Hest Bank, Lancashire, 22 September 2014RAIB is investigating a near-miss incident involving a group of nine track workers who were working on the West Coast Main Line, south of Hest Bank between Carnforth and Lancaster. The incident occurred at about 14:23 hrs on Monday 22 September 2014.
The group, comprising contract staff and a controller of site safety employed by Network Rail, were packing ballast under sleepers on the up main line on a small bridge. A lookout operated warning system (LOWS) was being used to give warning of approaching trains because the gang^s view was restricted by curvature of the line. This system is designed to allow lookouts to signal the approach of a train by operating two toggle switches on a LOWS lookout unit. This then transmits a radio signal to a LOWS static unit which then gives both visual and audible warnings.
On the afternoon of the near-miss, the LOWS equipment was being operated by two Network Rail lookouts, one on each side of the site of work and each equipped with a LOWS lookout unit. The lookout watching for trains on the up line was located 780 metres (approximately 0.5 mile) from the site of work, in a position which gave him a good view of trains approaching from the north. The static unit was located near the track workers. The LOWS is reported to have been both tested and operating normally prior to the incident.
At about 14:23 hrs, a train, the 12:12 hrs Edinburgh to Manchester Airport service, approached the site from the north (on the up line). The group were provided with no advance warning that the train was approaching and were forced to take immediate evasive action when the train first became visible, approximately four seconds before it reached the site of work. Some staff were unable to reach a safe position and pressed themselves against the bridge parapet. The train was travelling at an estimated 80 mph (129 km/h) as it passed the group at a location where the maximum permitted speed is 125 mph (201 km/h).
Image from forward-facing camera in incident train ^ First TransPennine ExpressRAIB^s investigation will examine the reasons why no warning was provided to the track workers. It will consider the sequence of events and factors that may have led to the incident, and identify any safety lessons.
RAIB^s investigation is independent of any investigations by the railway industry or safety authority. RAIB will publish its findings at the conclusion of the investigation. This report will be available on the RAIB website.
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