Collision at Loversall Carr Junction
Signal passed at danger and collision between freight trains near to Loversall Carr Junction
On 5 July 2022, a Felixstowe–Masborough freight passed D197 signal at danger and collided with the rear of a stationary consist at Loversall Carr Junction, Doncaster. The driver of the ex-Felixstowe was taken to hospital as a precaution and was discharged later that same day. The driver of the stricken train was unharmed.
The collision, which occurred at 28mph, caused significant damage to the infrastructure and to both trains. The route remained closed for 26 days for recovery and track repair work. RAIB investigated and found that the ex-Felixstowe had encountered the following signals and aspects:
D187 – double flashing yellows
D189 – single flashing yellow
D191 – single yellow aspect with a route indicator
D197 – red.
RAIB felt there to have been some confusion about the meaning of a ‘flashing yellow’. Flashing yellow aspects indicate that a diverging route, with a lower speed, is set at the junction ahead. RAIB noted how important it is that drivers carefully check the junction signal on approach to identify if it is indicating that the relevant signal beyond the junction is red. Not doing so increases the risk of a SPAD and collision at locations where drivers can become accustomed to the route being cleared beyond a junction, particularly where flashing yellow aspects have been displayed.
RAIB noted too that the accident occurred because the driver had experienced a loss of awareness, probably due to fatigue. It’s also possible that the driver’s awareness was affected by their low workload before the train approached Loversall Carr Junction, and by their expectation—based on previous experience—of the aspect that D197 would be showing.
RAIB found that the driver’s working pattern was likely to cause fatigue and that they had experienced a low quality of rest, caused mainly by an undiagnosed sleep condition. Their employer’s management systems hadn’t detected that the driver was at risk of fatigue either.
As a result of the accident, the operator is reviewing its current drivers’ rosters in line with ORR’s working pattern fatigue risks and assessing everyone’s travel distance between their home and their signing-on location. It is also reviewing its procedures and training in relation to fatigue management and driver preparation.
Information on fatigue and preparation for duty has been shared with all safety-critical staff. Control office staff have also received specific training on driver fatigue.
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