RAIL ACCIDENT REPORT - PASSENGER TRAPPED IN A DOOR AND DRAGGED A SHORT DISTANCE AT NEWCASTLE CENTRAL STATION - 5TH JUNE 2013.
The following is a copy of the RAIB Rail Accident Report in to this very serious incident, my own observations will be in RED text.
Why the uncertainty on what actually happened? A simple download would have determined the sequence of events.
This accident was allowed to happen, it was clearly an accident that was totally foreseable and more importantly, totally preventable.
You couldn't make this up, EVERYONE involved was aware before these units came into service that this type of incident could happen. TPE and Siemens knew about this danger yet it took 6 years before a pathetic risk assessment was carried out by TPE! Lets take a look at what Head of Operational Safety Paul Watson has to say when challenged on his companies disregard to safety issues that have the potential to cause loss of life.
"Procedures in place, maintenance regimes to rectify and we also track for trends"! So why did TPE allow these trains into service fully aware of the consequences involved? How many lucky escapes have they had? There is evidence in abundance to show that dangerous occurences were not reported through RIDDOR. As TPE fully admit, they took till 2010 to carry out their risk assessment which we will see later on was a complete and utter shambles. Where was the monitoring (possibly this is Paul Watson's tracking for trends) why no reassessment and why not made railway knowledge to allow other companies aware of this situation so they could risk assess their own fleet? All common basic sense if you have a full knowledge of health and safety and especially the implications that can arise from this type of risk. Paul Watson you should hang your head in shame because you are responsible for these failings.
Lets also not forget that the parties involved included government organisations and trade unions, yes, trade unions, were they kept in the dark over this serious design fault or were they informed? Or could it possibly be that no health and safety reps were invited to Germany as the it was only a trip for the boys?
Lets also not forget that the parties involved included government organisations and trade unions, yes, trade unions, were they kept in the dark over this serious design fault or were they informed? Or could it possibly be that no health and safety reps were invited to Germany as the it was only a trip for the boys?
How very sad this paragraph is, surely basic common sense, especially as all aspects of this door system were fully understood before these trains left the production line, why was there a failure by all concerned in not undertaking a basic risk assessment let alone a thorough risk assessment? The descriptive word, "COWBOYS" comes to mind, yet this is no laughing matter when peoples lives are at stake.
This is basic common sense, Siemens should have this already implemented into their procedures.
This recommendation should have already been implemented as a normal working practise, as for risks associated with train dispatch, this will be highlighted further on.
TO BE CONTINUED:
TO BE CONTINUED: