Latest news with #safetybreaches
ABC News
5 days ago
- Automotive
- ABC News
Increase in Sydney trains running red lights revealed in new data
The number of trains running red lights on Sydney's suburban and intercity rail network has jumped 25 per cent in the past year, with more than four incidents per week on average. The most dangerous scenario resulted in a train derailment on the Richmond line in January, but it was just one of 224 times during the 2024-25 financial year that a train failed to stop at a red signal. The safety breaches are referred to by Sydney Trains as signal passed at danger (SPAD) incidents. The data, which was provided exclusively to the ABC by Sydney Trains, showed the number of SPADs had increased by 46, from 178 in the 2023-24 financial year. Sydney Trains CEO Matt Longland said only a handful of incidents this year would have posed a potential danger to passengers. There were three other incidents last year that were categorised in the second most serious category — where a train could have potentially collided with another train or infrastructure if it passed a red signal. Another 21 trains stopped more than 100 metres after a red signal, but remained within a safe distance of other trains. Mr Longland said the rest were classified as less serious incidents, but all were still investigated. Mr Longland said the Richmond line derailment was being thoroughly investigated, but it is thought wet weather was largely to blame for the incident, preventing the driver from stopping in time. Of the 244 SPADs last financial year, 138 were put down to train crew or human error. "Some drivers can drive for 20 or 30 years and never have a SPAD, and they are very proud of that. For others it might have been a momentary lapse in judgement or a distraction," Mr Longland said. "Or it might be things like wet weather or sometimes slippery leaf material that collects on the rails." In two thirds of those cases, the train stopped within 100m of the red signal. The remaining 86 SPADs were categorised as "technical" incidents — which are usually related to power or communications issues with the signal. There are a number of safety mechanisms that are activated to try to prevent a crash when a train fails to stop at a red signal. "In the cab of a train we have a vigilance system to ensure the driver is alert and hasn't had a medical episode. It will automatically stop the train if the driver doesn't acknowledge that," Mr Longland said. "We also have something called train stops — a small mechanical arm that raises and lowers when the signal is red. If a train passes through that red signal because driver has misjudged or there's been an issue in terms of the stopping distance, the train stop will automatically stop that train. "Every time there is a SPAD train crews are removed from the train and given a mandatory drug test, then compliance checks and safety investigations are carried out."
ABC News
17-06-2025
- ABC News
Linq Buslines accused of safety breaches over Hunter Valley disaster
A bus company linked to the deadly 2023 Hunter Valley bus crash, and its directors and managers, are being prosecuted for alleged heavy vehicle law breaches. Last year, Brett Andrew Button was jailed for at least 24 years over the crash which killed 10 people returning from a wedding in the Hunter Valley in June 2023. The court found the high concentration of opioid Tramadol in Button's system at the time would have impaired his driving ability. The coach was operated by Linq Buslines Pty Ltd. The company's directors and two managers had matters heard in Gosford Local Court on Tuesday. They're accused of heavy-vehicle safety breaches, including alleged failed drug testing policies between November 2022 and June 2023. Fines of up to $1.7 million can be imposed for the most serious offences. Manager Rodney Parker was accused of two breaches of duty under national heavy-vehicle laws and two counts of breaching the duty of an executive of a legal entity. Mr Parker is accused of contravening his duty by allegedly failing to ensure he didn't cause or urge drivers, like Button, to contravene heavy-vehicle laws. According to the charge sheet tendered in court today, Mr Parker is accused of "disclosing to Mr Brett Button that drug testing was to take place on 6 February 2023," four months before the crash. Button started working for Linq Buslines in November 2022 and the court documents alleged Mr Parker had not contacted any prior employer. "He failed to exercise due diligence by not making reasonable enquiries of a person authorised by Mr Brett Button's prior employer as to any matter impacting upon his capacity to perform the role and to safely drive buses," the documents said. Area Manager Katie Parker, who was responsible for scheduling and directing the local fleet of 16 buses, was also charged. "[She] failed to ensure as far as reasonably practicable drivers were not driving under the influence of substances that rendered their driving unsafe by implementing regular random drug testing of drivers," the documents said. Directors Anthony John Royle and Christopher Terrence Fogg are also accused of three counts each of breaching national heavy-vehicle laws. "[The pair] failed to exercise due diligence to ensure the company complied with its duty, contrary to the law, and it contravened its duty, contrary to heavy-vehicle national law," according to the court documents. It is further alleged that the company had a duty to minimise or eliminate risks posed by drivers. It was alleged the company, "failed to ensure it had procedures and policies to prevent drivers driving under the influence of substances that rendered their driving unsafe." Linq Buslines is separately charged with similar offences. The matter will return to court in September.
Times
20-05-2025
- Times
Girl, 11, who drowned at waterpark was unlawfully killed, coroner finds
An 11-year-old girl who drowned during a birthday party at a waterpark was unlawfully killed after gross health and safety breaches, a coroner has found. Kyra Hill got into difficulty in a designated swimming area at Liquid Leisure near Windsor on August 6, 2022. An inquest at Berkshire coroner's court in Reading was told how emergency services were only called 37 minutes after a lifeguard spotted Kyra struggling. Kyra, from Croydon in south London, was recovered from the water more than an hour after the emergency call. The safety breaches involved the depth and visibility of the water and the absence of an emergency plan and risk assessment, the senior coroner, Heidi Conner, said. The diver who found Kyra described the water visibility as 'zero'. There were no signs warning of deep water despite it reaching 4.67m in parts of the designated swimming area, Conner said. The only sign present warned of shallow water. Young children were permitted to swim without buoyancy aids and there was no advice warning parents to supervise children in a ratio of one to four. There was also no emergency plan, risk assessment or safety measures taking 'clear risks' into account. A diver also missed several phone calls from staff during the emergency and staff refused requests to clear the swimming area. Conner said that the failures were 'likely to have caused or contributed more than minimally to Kyra's death'. She added: 'If there had been systems in place to make parents and carers aware that there were deep parts of the water, then it is unlikely that Kyra would have got into trouble as she did.' The owner of the park was fined £80,000 over the breaches last June. Leonard Hill, Kyra's father, fought back tears as he described his daughter at the inquest on Tuesday. He said: 'Kyra was a beautiful, beaming beacon of light in the lives of all who were fortunate enough to know her. Our beloved Kyra was a remarkably strong and exceptional swimmer, a true champion in the water. Yet despite her strength, her life was tragically cut short.'
Telegraph
20-05-2025
- Telegraph
Girl drowned at deep water park pool where only warning was about shallow area
An 11-year-old girl who drowned during a birthday party at a water park was unlawfully killed, a coroner has found. Kyra Hill got into difficulty in a designated swimming area at Liquid Leisure near Windsor, Berkshire, on Aug 6, 2022. Senior coroner Heidi Connor concluded Kyra had been unlawfully killed following gross health and safety breaches at the park. The breaches relate to the depth and visibility of the water and the absence of an emergency plan and risk assessment, she found. There were no signs warning of deep water despite it reaching 4.67 metres (more than 15ft) in parts of the swimming area, Mrs Connor said. 'In fact the only sign present warned of shallow water,' she added. Parents and carers were not advised to attend with children in a ratio of one to four, and young children were permitted to swim without buoyancy aids, the coroner said. There was also no emergency plan or risk assessment that took those factors into account, and no control measures were identified and put in place to 'take account of these clear risks', she ruled. Man Utd fan 'captivated hearts' Leonard Hill, Kyra's father, fought back tears as he read a pen portrait of his daughter to the inquest. 'Kyra was a beautiful, beaming beacon of light in the lives of all who were fortunate enough to know her,' he said. 'With her naturally enchanting, bright and beautiful eyes – paired with the softest, sweetest and warmest smile – she captivated hearts effortlessly. 'A spirited individual, Kyra was resolute in her beliefs. She would stand up for what was right without hesitation, always the first to challenge a bully or defend a friend. 'Guided by an unwavering moral compass, she was a protector at heart, fiercely caring for her loved ones and always considering the feelings of others.' His Manchester United-supporting daughter dreamed of becoming a professional footballer. 'Had that dream not become her reality, she had her back-up plan to pursue law and become a lawyer and fight for the truth, stating that she would 'never defend evil people in court',' he said. At around 3.20pm on Aug 6, 2022, a 17-year-old lifeguard spotted Kyra struggling and dived in after her before leaving the water to radio her colleagues. A manager attended rapidly but 37 minutes passed before 999 was called, Mrs Connor previously told the hearing. Around 13 minutes before emergency services were contacted, the park owner attempted to phone a divemaster and off-duty firefighter, the inquest had heard. The diver, Chris Knight, missed several calls and CCTV showed him first entering the water with an oxygen tank at 4.33pm. Mr Knight previously told the inquest he searched two parts of the lake before he was told that CCTV showed Kyra going under at another location. He found Kyra near the third area at around 5.09pm. He said that as far as he was aware no one had looked at the CCTV by the time he arrived at the park. Giving her conclusions, Mrs Connor said: 'Members of the family, at no point have I forgotten that this was about your 11-year-old, Kyra, and I am so very sorry that you are here today. 'It must have been incredibly difficult to sit in court and hear some of the evidence that we've heard. I offer all of you my heartfelt condolences.'
The Independent
20-05-2025
- The Independent
Schoolgirl who drowned at water park was unlawfully killed, coroner rules
An 11-year-old girl who drowned during a birthday party at a water park was unlawfully killed, a coroner has found. Kyra Hill got into difficulty in a designated swimming area at Liquid Leisure near Windsor, Berkshire, on August 6 2022. Senior coroner Heidi Connor concluded the youngster had been unlawfully killed following gross health and safety breaches at the park. The breaches relate to the depth and visibility of the water and the absence of an emergency plan and risk assessment, she found. There were no signs warning of deep water despite it reaching 4.67 metres (more than 15ft) in parts of the designated swimming area, Mrs Connor said. 'In fact the only sign present warned of shallow water,' she added. Parents and carers were not advised to attend with children in a ratio of one to four, and young children were permitted to swim without buoyancy aids, the coroner said. There was also no emergency plan or risk assessment that took those factors into account, and no control measures were identified and put in place to 'take account of these clear risks', she ruled. Mrs Connor said: 'The two gross breaches before Kyra went into the water are likely to have caused or contributed more than minimally to her death.' Her father, Leonard Hill, fought back tears as he read a pen portrait of his daughter to the inquest. 'Kyra was a beautiful, beaming beacon of light in the lives of all who were fortunate enough to know her,' he said. 'With her naturally enchanting, bright and beautiful eyes – paired with the softest, sweetest and warmest smile – she captivated hearts effortlessly. 'A spirited individual, Kyra was resolute in her beliefs. She would stand up for what was right without hesitation, always the first to challenge a bully or defend a friend. 'Guided by an unwavering moral compass, she was a protector at heart, fiercely caring for her loved ones and always considering the feelings of others.' His Manchester United-supporting daughter dreamed of becoming a professional footballer. 'Had that dream not become her reality, she had her back-up plan to pursue law and become a lawyer and fight for the truth, stating that she would 'never defend evil people in court',' he said. At around 3.20pm on August 6 2022, a 17-year-old lifeguard spotted Kyra struggling and dived in after her before leaving the water to radio her colleagues. There was then a 10-minute period where no staff were searching the area where Kyra was seen going under. Lifeguards searched other parts of the lake instead, following incorrect reports by members of the public that she had gone elsewhere. A manager attended rapidly but around 37 minutes passed between Kyra going underwater and 999 being called, Mrs Connor previously told the inquest. Around 13 minutes before emergency services were contacted, the park owner attempted to phone a divemaster and off-duty firefighter, the inquest had heard. The diver, Chris Knight, missed several calls and CCTV showed him first entering the water with an oxygen tank at 4.33pm. Mr Knight previously told the inquest that he searched two parts of the lake before he was told that CCTV showed Kyra going under at another location. He found Kyra near the third area at around 5.09pm. Mrs Connor said: 'CCTV was not reviewed in order to check Kyra's whereabouts when the search for her began. 'This option may well have been covered in an emergency procedure, had there been one.' Giving her conclusions, she added: 'Members of the family, at no point have I forgotten that this was about your 11-year-old Kyra, and I am so very sorry that you are here today. 'It must have been incredibly difficult to sit in court and hear some of the evidence that we've heard. I offer all of you my heartfelt condolences.' Harvinder Kaur, director at Fieldfisher – the law firm that represented the Hill family, said: 'We are grateful to the coroner for exposing the failings that occurred in the lead up to Kyra's death. 'We hope now that there will be positive change in the industry to prevent future deaths.' A Thames Valley Police spokesperson said in a statement: 'Our thoughts remain with the loved ones of Kyra Hill following her tragic death at Liquid Leisure near Datchet on 6 August 2022. 'We note the ruling from the coroner following the inquest into Kyra's death and we will be liaising with the coroner's office. 'We conducted a thorough investigation into Kyra's death at the time, before handing a file to the coroner and the local authority.'
