RAIB releases report into shunting accident

The Railway Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) has released its report into an incident at St Philips Marsh depot in Bristol last year.

The incident occurred last September when a member of Great Western Railway staff responsible for shunting locomotives (GWR) was struck by a train that was exiting the depot’s main shed building.

After exiting the main shed building via a roller shutter door, the employee had walked into the path of the train which its driver then started to move and accelerate much quicker than the employee expected. Both the employee and the train driver were unaware of each other’s movements.

RAIB has recommended that GWR ensures that it reviews the personal track safety training and assessment it provides for shunters and manage the risk of staff being struck by a train in these locations.