REPORT: RSSB Summary of Safety Performance January 2006

The latest monthly report is now available for download:
http://tinyurl.com/okw8z

INCIDENT: Wilmington AHB 26/01/06

A Southern Railway service from Brighton to Ore struck a Mini Cooper on the Automatic Half Barrier crossing at Wilmington.

The driver of the train reported that the car appeared to be parked on the crossing. Although he slowed the train and sounded the horn, the car made no attempt to move to safety. The train struck the car and pushed it 100 yards down the track before stopping.

The driver of the car, later identified as Alison Jane McCloskey, 37, was pronounced dead at the scene. The train driver and his eighteen passengers were unhurt.

British Transport Police have begun an investigation and an inquest has been opened and adjourned.

Comment - another AHB suicide? If so, that could be four in four years (Swainsthorpe in 2005, Ufton Nervet (inquest pending) in 2004, Dunhampstead in 2003). Given the previous such incident was back in 1995 (Pirton) is this a worrying trend? Only Ufton resulted in fatalities to those other than the driver, but the potential for catastrophic accidents remain.

edit - The January RSSB Safety Performance Report notes that a suicide note was found with the driver.


BBC News coverage:
http://tinyurl.com/odofa
http://tinyurl.com/r9zr5

Eastbourne Today:
http://tinyurl.com/eft66
http://tinyurl.com/ztpjb
http://tinyurl.com/fqlgo

INCIDENT: Okeletor OC 15/01/06

A passenger train struck a vehicle on the Okeltor open crossing on the Plymouth-Gunnislake line. The train did not derail and no injuries were sustained.

Comment: Scant details on this incident; the above came from the January RSSB Safety Performance Report. A similar incident was reported in December 2005.

INCIDENT: Scate Moor UWC 08/01/06

The 17.17 train from York to Leeds struck a cyclist crossing the line at a user worked crossing at Scate Moor. The cyclist was severely injured as a result of the accident. Nobody on the train was injured, and no other damage resulted.

The Rail Accident and Investigation Buranch have begun an investigation.

RAIB site:
http://tinyurl.com/rzcqj

Comment: This is all the information I've seen on this incident; no Google Alerts or BBC News.