Rail Accident Investigation Branch has taken on an investigation of a runaway wagon from the Ministry of Defence’s Kineton Munitions Depot exchange sidings.

The incident took place on Thursday the 25th of May at around 21:10 hours, when the empty wagon run away covering a distance of more than one mile, passing two farm crossings and a level crossing for a public road before coming to a stop shortly after.

Nobody was injured during the incident, however, damage was caused to a gate in the yard.

Prior to the wagon’s escape, it had been secured via its parking brake, which was completed by employees of Kuehne + Nagel working under contract for the Ministry of Defence.

Rail Accident Investigation Branch’s investigation will seek to ascertain the sequence of events prior to the incident, alongside:

• The actions of those involved and anything which may have influenced them
• The arrangements put in place by Kuehne + Nagel and the Ministry of Defence to control the risks of a vehicle running away
• The design and maintenance of the braking system on the wagon
• Underlying management factors

The government agency will carry out its investigation independently of the rail industry, the Ministry of Defence and the Office of Rail and Road.

Once completed, the investigation’s findings and any recommendations which will support improvements in safety will be published via the Rail Accident Investigation Branch’s website.