2018 Lewisham train strandings

2018 Lewisham train strandings
Photograph showing the approach to Lewisham station
The approach to Lewisham station from London
Date 2 March 2018
Time 17:34 to 21:59
Location Lewisham, St Johns and New Cross, London
Country England
Rail line South Eastern Main Line
North Kent Line
Operator Southeastern
Type of incident Unplanned evacuation of passengers from trains
Cause Weather, train equipment issues, incident management issues
Statistics
Trains 9
Passengers ~9,000
Crew 9–18
Deaths None
Injuries 4
Part of the 2018 Great Britain and Ireland cold wave

The Lewisham train strandings occurred on 2 March 2018 in the area of Lewisham, St. John's and New Cross stations during snowy weather. Nine trains were involved. Passengers abandoned five of the trains due to issues including a lack of communication, heating and toilets. No injuries were reported. Network Rail and the Rail Accident Investigation Branch conducted investigations into the incident.

Previous strandings

Huntingdon

In June 2005, a passenger train became stranded near Huntingdon for two hours. Conditions quickly became uncomfortable for the passengers on board. The Rail Safety and Standards Board subsequently conducted research into conditions on a stranded train with inoperable air conditioning. It concluded that conditions would become uncomfortable after 40-50 minutes, and intolerable after 70-90 minutes. Opening doors on the train would mean that conditions would be tolerable for up to five hours.[1]

Foxton

In October 2010, a passenger train operated by First Capital Connect (FCC) became stranded at Foxton. The incident occurred at 16:44 hours. Conditions on board rapidly deteriorated, with temperatures reaching 37 °C (99 °F). Some passengers abandoned the train after 60 minutes, others broke windows after 2 hours. Passengers were rescued by using another service train drawing up alongside the broken down train, but it could only take 100 of the 375 passengers. A second train rescued the remaining passengers at 20:20.[1]

Kentish Town

On 26 May 2011, a passenger train formed of two Class 377 electric multiple units operated by FCC experienced pantograph damage and broke down between Dock Junction and Kentish Town whilst operating a service from Brighton to Bedford.[1] The train was carrying 472 passengers.[2] It took three hours for the failed train to be rescued. Absence of power meant that throughout this time, air conditioning and toilets on the train were inoperative. After 45 minutes the public address system failed, which prevented the driver from keeping the passengers informed of the situation. They then resorted to breaking windows and forcing doors open in an effort to alleviate their discomfort. The lack of communication caused some passengers to abandon the train and start walking along the track towards nearby Kentish Town station. When the train was eventually moved, and having been authorised to do so, the driver overrode a number of safety systems, leading to the train being moved with at least two doors open whilst passengers were on board. FCC policy at the time was that an evacuation of a train should be considered after 60 minutes and must have commenced within 90 minutes of a stranding. A Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) investigation found that FCC had failed to implement lessons learned from earlier train strandings.[1] FCC were prosecuted by the Office of Rail and Road for offences under Section 3 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and fined £75,000.[3]

South Croydon

On 4 June 2011, a passenger train was brought to a halt near South Croydon by the emergency braking system following activation of the passenger communication device. Some passengers abandoned the train after 30 minutes. One of them suffered severe burns when she came into contact with the third rail.[1]

Peckham Rye

On 7 November 2017, a Class 378 electric multiple unit became stranded 30 metres (98 ft) short of Peckham Rye station due to a fault causing the brakes to lock on. About 80 of the 450 passengers were evacuated with the third rail still live. No injuries occurred.[4]

Dorset - Hampshire border

On 1 March 2018, three passenger trains operated by South Western Railway (SWR) became stranded at Beaulieu Road, Hinton Admiral and New Milton in Dorset and Hampshire in snowy weather. Weather conditions hampered evacuation of the trains, which was not accomplished until the following morning.[5] Passengers spent up to 14 hours on the stranded trains. Complaints were made of a lack of communication from SWR, a lack of heating and toilet facilities. A train operated by CrossCountry was also stranded in the area. Passengers praised the way CrossCountry staff dealt with the situation.[6]

The incident

On 2 March 2018, nine passenger trains operated by Southeastern became stranded in the Lewisham, St Johns and New Cross area in weather conditions of snow and freezing rain.[7][8] Due to a lack of communication with passengers, a lack of heating and lack of toilets, passengers abandoned five of the nine trains.[7] The nine trains involved comprised 22 electric multiple units. Two of the units had no toilets, and five of the remaining twenty were operating with toilets that were not in service.[8] Four people were treated for minor injuries.[9]

Timeline

17:34

Train 2M48 came to a stand after passing Lewisham station, unable to draw power as the third rail was affected by freezing rain. The train comprised two Class 465 and one Class 466 electric multiple units and was operating the 15:56 Charing Cross to Dartford service which had departed 67 minutes late and was running 80 minutes late when it came to a stand.[8]

17:38

Train 2M50 came to a stand approaching Lewisham due to 2M48 being at a stand ahead. The train comprised two Class 376 electric multiple units, which did not have onboard toilets. It was operating the 16:26 Charing Cross to Dartford service which had departed 47 minutes late and was running 54 minutes late when it came to a stand.[8]

Train 2M54 came to a stand opposite St Johns station. It comprised three Class 465 units and was operating the 17:06 Charing Cross to Orpington service which had departed 17 minutes late and was running 17 minutes late when it came to a stand.[8] The train came to a stand with its rear carriages blocking Tanners Hill Junction.[10]

17:43

Train 2H50 came to a stand near New Cross. The train comprised two Class 465 and one Class 466 units and was operating the 17:30 Charing Cross to Tunbridge Wells service which had departed on time and was running 1 minute early when it came to a stand.[8]

17:50

Train 2S56 came to a stand just after passing New Cross. The train comprised two Class 465 units and was operating the 17:36 Charing Cross to Slade Green service which had departed one minute late and was running to time when it came to a stand.[8]

18:16

Network Rail called out a Mobile Operations Manager (MOM) to de-ice the third rail and get 2M48 moving again. It was planned to terminate the train at Blackheath. Until 2M48 had been moved, other trains were unable to proceed, including 2M50, which was being held at a signal in sight of Lewisham station.[8]

18:28

An Automatic Warning System fault developed on 2M48.[8]

18:36

The MOM arrived on site. An emergency power isolation was made to the up and down North Kent Lines to enable the third rail to be de-iced.[8]

18:45

The MOM reported that passengers had abandoned 2M50 and walking along the track to Lewisham station.[8] An emergency power isolation was made covering all lines between North Kent East Junction and School Junction, Blackheath Junction to Nunhead, Courthill Junction and Tanners Hill.[11] 2M50 had been at a stand for 67 minutes.[8]

18:50

Some passengers abandoned 2S56, which had been at a stand for 72 minutes.[8]

19:06

Some passengers abandoned 2M48, which had been at a stand for 92 minutes.[8]

19:15

More passengers abandoned 2S56. Not reported until 19:40 as the driver was dealing with a passenger who had been taken ill.[11]

19:32

Some passengers abandoned 2H50, which had been at a stand for 109 minutes.[8]

20:26

More passengers abandoned 2M48, which had been at a stand for 168 minutes.[11]

21:36

Current restored to area.[8]

21:59

Trains start moving again.[8]

Criticism

There was widespread criticism of the incident and the way it was handled. Southeastern also issued its own criticism of passengers who abandoned trains, describing them as "trespassers".[12] Rail criticised Southeastern for swearing in a tweet responding to a query from a passenger on one of the stranded trains.[7]

Passengers on board 2M50, which had no toilets and had been held within sight of Lewisham station, complained of the conditions on board. People were wetting and soiling themselves as there was no other option. They also complained that the train was being held in sight of the station and wondered why it could not be cleared into the platform. An investigation by Rail revealed that the driver had asked for such permission, but that the power had been switched off before this could be authorised and arranged.[7][10] Other passengers complained of a lack of heating and lighting when the power had been cut off.[13] One passenger wrote a detailed account of being stranded on 2M50, describing how conditions deteriorated on board the packed train, and criticising Southeastern for not following Rail Delivery Group guidance in respect of stranded trains,[14] which states that evacuation of a stranded train should be commenced after an hour and completed within two hours.[15]

Investigations

Network Rail and Southeastern

Network Rail and Southeastern commissioned consulants Arthur D Little and Southwood Rail Consulting to conduct an investigation into the incident.[16] The report, released on 23 August, was highly critcial of Southeastern and Network Rail finding that the rail industry's inadequate procedures were not fully followed, and that communication between the various parties involved did not adequately support effective management of the incident.[17] Seventeen recommendations were made.[9][18]

Rail Accident Investigation Branch

The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) opened an investigation into the incident.[10]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Safety incident between Dock Junction and Kentish Town, 26 May 2011" (PDF). Rail Accident Investigation Branch. Retrieved 1 April 2018.
  2. ↑ "First Capital Connect three-hour delay train inquiry". BBC News Online. 8 June 2011. Retrieved 1 April 2018.
  3. ↑ "First Capital Connect fined over stranded passengers". BBC News Online. 13 September 2013. Retrieved 1 April 2018.
  4. ↑ "Detrainment of passengers onto electrically live track near Peckham Rye station 7 November 2017" (PDF). Rail Accidents Investigation Branch. Retrieved 9 October 2018.
  5. ↑ "CrossCountry rescues stranded passengers". Rail. Peterborough: Bauer Consumer Media Ltd (848): 8. 14 March 2018. ISSN 0953-4563.
  6. ↑ "Passengers stuck on trains for 14 hours show 'Dunkirk spirit'". BBC Online. 2 March 2018. Retrieved 1 April 2018.
  7. 1 2 3 4 Harris, Nigel. "Disastrous disruption plans. Did no one say 'It's nearly three hours - with no toilets'?". Rail. Peterborough: Bauer Consumer Media Ltd (848): 3. ISSN 0953-4563.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Clinnick, Richard. "Desparate passengers abandon stranded trains". Rail. Peterborough: Bauer Consumer Media Ltd: 6–7. ISSN 0953-4563.
  9. 1 2 "Independent investigation into the circumstances around multiple stranded trains and passenger self-evacuation onto track in the Lewisham and New Cross area in the evening of 2 March 2018". Cambridge: Arthur D Little Ltd. Retrieved 23 August 2018.
  10. 1 2 3 "Stranding of trains and self-detrainments at Lewisham". Rail Accident Investigation Branch. 27 March 2018. Retrieved 1 April 2018.
  11. 1 2 3 Clinnick, Richard. "Timeline". Rail. Peterborough: Bauer Consumer Media Ltd: 7. ISSN 0953-4563.
  12. ↑ "Passengers jump on to Lewisham train tracks after delays". BBC News Online. 2 March 2018. Retrieved 1 April 2018.
  13. ↑ Chaplain, Chloe; Wills, Ella (2 March 2018). "'Mad scenes' as desperate Southeastern passengers flee stranded trains and walk down rail lines after waiting hours in the snow". Evening Standard. Retrieved 1 April 2018.
  14. ↑ Clarke, Robin (3 March 2018). "Hell in a Southeastern commuter train stuck at Lewisham". Buzzsteam. Retrieved 1 April 2018.
  15. ↑ "ATOC / Network Rail Guidance Note - Meeting the Needs of Passengers when Stranded" (PDF). Rail Safety Standards Board. June 2014. Retrieved 1 April 2018.
  16. ↑ Grafton-Smith, Patrick (5 March 2018). "Passenger's harrowing first-hand account of Lewisham train 'from hell' which became stuck for four hours". Evening Standard. Retrieved 1 April 2018.
  17. ↑ Britcher, Chris. "Southeastern and Network Rail blasted over Lewisham snow incident". Kent Online. Kent Messenger Group. Retrieved 23 August 2018.
  18. ↑ Lewisham disruption report recommends incident management improvements Railway Gazette International 24 August 2018
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.