Train hit car after staff forgot to shut crossing
SuppliedA train crashed into a car because the signaller forgot to close the level crossing to traffic, an inquiry has found.
The car driver was hurt as their vehicle was dragged along the tracks near Redcar Central station on 1 May 2024, although Network Rail initially said no-one was injured.
The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) reported that Network Rail had not effectively addressed problems with the signaller's competency after previous incidents.
The company said it accepted the report and a review of signaller standards was under way.
A spokesperson added: "Our risk assessment for this level crossing has been reviewed and forthcoming upgrade work to signalling in this area will provide an opportunity to deliver additional protection."
What happened?
The RAIB investigation found the signaller had reopened Redcar level crossing to road traffic after a previous train had passed.
They noticed a possible fault with one of the signal lights but then received a phone call from a colleague.
RAIB said both these factors contributed to the signaller forgetting the barrier was open when a second train arrived.
The member of staff than attempted to clear a signal which prevented the train from passing the crossing, but was unable to do so because the barrier was raised.
RAIBUnable to figure out why the signal could not be cleared, the member of staff authorised the train to pass at a signal indicating danger.
The train driver approached the level crossing too quickly and was unable to see the car because their view was blocked by a signal box.
The train then hit the car, injuring the driver.
The causes
Investigators said a number of factors contributed to the crash, including the signaller forgetting the level crossing was open to road traffic.
The member of staff failed to tell the train driver to approach at caution but the train driver had also approached the area too quickly to stop in time.
Issues with the layout of the signal box were also discovered. The controls for the level crossing were located across the room from the signalling panel, which meant staff had to walk across the room each time they were operated.
RAIB has recommended Network Rail review the ergonomic risk associated with the signal box's layout.
There were also no controls fitted to the level crossing which would have triggered the wig-wag lights used to alert people to an approaching train.
Past performance issues
The report discovered the signaller had previously been placed on three separate support plans due to failing knowledge assessments and other incidents.
One of the support plans was triggered because the staff member authorised a train to pass a signal at danger without confirming the line was clear.
In 2023, they were also stood down from duties after granting a line block to maintenance staff incorrectly.
The member of staff returned to duty in January 2024 and had passed all rules assessments at the time of the crash. RAIB said Network Rail had followed all processes in regards to the signaller's retraining.
However, it said the processes "do not clearly define triggers for escalating sub-standard performance" by its staff.
This meant Network Rail "had not effectively addressed the signaller's previous operational incidents".