LNER speeding train near Grantham left onboard staff hurt
Staff onboard a train were left hurt after it travelled through a junction near a market town at more than twice the speed limit, investigators found.An LNER train service travelled at about 55mph (87km/h) through Grantham South Junction, in Lincolnshire, where a speed restriction of 25mph (40km/h) was in place, the Rail Accident Investigations Branch (RAIB) said.While staff onboard reported receiving minor injuries during the incident on 25 February, no passengers were injured, investigators had noted.Train operator LNER said it had supported RAIB's findings and the safety of its staff and passengers was its "top priority".
The train, which was travelling from Hull to London Kings Cross, had stopped at Grantham station before passing through the junction at about 08:25 GMT.After leaving the station, a signal warned the driver the train was switching to a slower railway line.In its findings, the RAIB said there was a "strong likelihood" factors in this case were similar to those identified in two separate train speeding incidents at Spital Junction, in Peterborough, on 17 April 2022 and on 4 May 2023.In both of those incidents, passengers had been left injured.Following the preliminary examination, the RAIB said it had written to the Office of Rail and Road to draw attention to the incident and copied the letter to Network Rail, LNER and the Rail Safety and Standards Board.
'Ever busier railway'
The report stated: "This incident again illustrates the issues associated with relying completely on train drivers reacting appropriately to a junction or route indicator to control the risks presented by trains taking diverging low-speed turnouts on high-speed through routes. "This risk may be increased by the introduction of higher performing train fleets, and possibly by routing patterns on an ever busier railway."An LNER spokesperson said: "The safety of our customers and colleagues is our top priority. "We have supported RAIB in their preliminary examination, note the recommendations made and will continue to work with partners in the industry."
Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
4 days ago
- BBC News
Surrey men fined after Lincolnshire hare coursing incident
Two men have been fined after they were found guilty of hare coursing in Connors, 24, and Jerry Connors, 19, both of Rectory Lane, Woodmansterne, Banstead, Surrey, were arrested and charged after an incident in Crowland in March pair, and two others, were found guilty of hunting a wild mammal with dogs and trespass during a trial in December for their arrests were later issued and they were sentenced at Lincoln Magistrates' Court on 29 May. Lincolnshire Police said officers had been called out on Sunday 12 March 2023 to reports of four men hare reported seeing the men walking across fields with one driving a blue Daihatsu Terios 4x4 through newly planted a short chase, the four members of the group were pair were both individually fined £875 and ordered to pay £4929.83 compensation and a £350 victim surcharge. What is hare coursing? Coursers will walk along a field to frighten the hare into the openThe dog catches the hare and kills it by "ragging" it - shaking the animal in its teethThe dogs - usually greyhounds, lurchers or salukis - are on a slip lead, threaded so it can be easily releasedThe dead hare is usually left in the field or thrown in a ditchHare coursing is illegal throughout the UK. The Hunting Act 2004, makes it an offence to hunt wild mammals with dogsSource: Lincolnshire Police Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.
BBC News
4 days ago
- BBC News
Two arrests and birds seized in Bradford in cockfighting probe
Two men have been arrested and several cockerels seized from six properties in Bradford in connection with an investigation into animal man was arrested on Wednesday on suspicion of causing an animal fight to take place and taking part in an animal fight, while another man was arrested on suspicion of being present at an animal fight, according to West Yorkshire RSPCA confirmed its officers had joined police as warrants were carried out at six addresses in Bradford and two addresses in Burton-upon-Trent and Warrington as part of the investigation.A "number" of cockerels were removed during those operations and placed into the care of the RSPCA, a spokesperson said. "The warrants are part of an ongoing investigation led by the police," they added. Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
Wales Online
4 days ago
- Wales Online
Tractor driver asked for permission to cross line moments before train heading to Wales crashed
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Preliminary findings suggest the driver of a tractor hit by a train while crossing a railway line had sought permission to cross. The incident occurred at the Nordan Farm level crossing near Leominster at 10.37am on May 22. The tractor, hauling an agricultural trailer, was struck by a Transport for Wales train travelling between Manchester and Cardiff. Despite the collision, the train did not derail and continued for another 500m before coming to a halt with the trailer still attached to its front. The tractor driver escaped unscathed from the incident. However, six passengers on the train sustained minor injuries. Two of those injured were taken to hospital but were later discharged, reports Wales Online. An investigation is underway, conducted by the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB). In its report released on Wednesday detailing its initial findings the branch found that it seems normal protocol was followed in that the tractor driver did make a telephone call to the signaller to ask if it was safe to cross by using the telephones that are available beside the railway line. The Nordan Farm crossing is regularly used by drivers of agricultural vehicles. When the farmer did cross the trailer their tractor was carrying was hit within seconds by the train which was travelling at 80mph, according to the investigation branch. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here The RAIB statement reads: "Nordan Farm user worked crossing is fitted with telephones. Users are directed by signs at the crossing to use the telephones to obtain permission from the signaller before opening the crossing gates and crossing the railway. "The evidence available to RAIB shows that the driver of the tractor involved in this accident telephoned the signaller before using the crossing." It added: "RAIB's initial analysis indicates that the train was travelling at around 80mph when it struck the trailer. "As a result of the collision, the trailer parted from the tractor and became wedged on the front of the train. The train then ran for around 500m under braking before it came to a stand." The investigation, which is ongoing, will determine the sequence of events that led to the accident and will monitor what went wrong for the incident to happen. The crash damaged the train, trailer, track, lineside equipment and another level crossing beyond Nordan Farm. Rail disruption hit the network for more than 24 hours, with the line blocked between Hereford and Shrewsbury, after the crash. British Transport Police arrested a 32-year-old man who was released under investigation. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox Find out what's happening near you
