The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) has started an investigation into an accident when a train driver was struck and fatally injured by a passing train near West Worthing station.

At around 20:33 hrs on 1st February 2022, a train travelling at approximately 33 mph (53 km/h) passed a stationary train that was waiting in a siding, around 300 metres west of West Worthing station. As it did so, it struck and fatally injured the driver of the stationary train, who had previously exited the train’s cab and descended to track level.

The train driver who was struck had earlier driven his train from Brighton to West Worthing. He then drove his train into the siding where the accident occurred, and was scheduled to wait in the siding for a short time before returning to West Worthing station to form the next passenger service to Brighton. There is normally no need for train drivers to leave their trains as part of their duties while waiting in this siding.

The RAIB’s investigation will seek to identify the sequence of events which led to the accident. It will also consider:

• the actions of those involved, including how the train driver involved came to be in a position where he could be struck by the passing train;
• the methods of working used by staff working on and around the siding;
• the layout and condition of the siding involved;
• any underlying factors.

The investigation will be independent of any investigation by either the railway industry or by the industry’s regulator, the Office of Rail and Road (ORR). The RAIB  independently investigates rail accidents, whilst the ORR is responsible for the economic and safety regulation of Britain’s railways.

The RAIB will publish its findings, including any recommendations to improve safety, at the conclusion of its investigation.