Back in July 2022, two freight trains collided with each other in Doncaster, and now, the Rail Accident Investigation Branch has released its full report.
At around 06:21 on the 5th July 2022, 4E11, a Felixstowe to Masborough service, passed a signal at danger and collided with the rear of freight train, 4E82.
4E11 had a Class 66 locomotive and 35 wagons and was travelling at 48 mph when it passed signal D197 that was protecting 4E82, which was stationery at Loversall Carr Junction.
When the two trains collided, 4E11 was travelling at approximately 28mph.
The driver of 4E11 was taken to hospital as a precaution but was later discharged the same day. The driver of 4E82 did not sustain any injuries.
Significant damage was caused to the railway infrastructure as well as the leading loco and wagons on 4E11 and rear wagons on 4E82.
The RAIB says that the accident happened because the driver did not control the speed of train 4E11 due to a loss of awareness, probably due to the effects of fatigue.
The RAIB also found that the working pattern of the driver was likely to cause fatigue, and that they had experienced loss quality rest due to an undiagnosed sleep condition.
It was also found that the management systems of GB Railfreight had not detected that the driver was at risk of fatigue.
As a result of the incident, the RAIB has made two recommendations. The first is addressed to GBRf to reduce the risk of train driver fatigue, including improving risk assessments, processes and following industry good practice. The second is addressed to the Rail Safety and Standards Board, working in conjunction with freight and other train operators, to include the identification of sleep disorder indicators in current standards for safety-critical medical assessments. A recommendation on the detection of driver attention loss has not been made because a previous recommendation on this issue made as a result of the Kirby investigation (RAIB report 07/2022) is less than a year old and is still being considered by the rail industry.
RAIB has also identified a learning point to remind train drivers of the importance and meaning of flashing yellow signals.
Andrew Hall, Chief Inspector of Rail Accidents said: “Fatigue in the rail freight industry is a known risk. The nature of freight train driving, often undertaken at night, means that careful fatigue risk management is crucial for maintaining safety.
“Unfortunately, this accident occurred because the driver experienced a loss of awareness of the driving task while probably fatigued. The assessment processes in place did not identify that the working pattern of the driver placed them at greater risk of suffering fatigue.
“Previous RAIB investigations into fatigue-related incidents have led to the development of good practice and guidance for managing fatigue within the rail industry. If we are to avoid such incidents in future, it is particularly important that freight operators access the guidance available to them and use it to effectively manage the risk of fatigue.”
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