17.01.19
Train derailment between Sheffield and Doncaster prompts RAIB investigation
The RAIB have launched an investigation into a train derailment after a freight train came off the tracks between Sheffield and Doncaster, causing major disruption.
The freight locomotive had just left Roberts Road depot at around 5.17pm on 21 December and was going around a tight left-hand bend towards Doncaster station when it derailed at 13mph.
The RAIB said there were no injuries but there was damage caused to infrastructure as well “heavily disrupted” train services.
The derailed train ended up blocking the route between Sheffield and Doncaster, causing the line to be shut until Northern said it had been able to remove the derailed freight train.
The RAIB said it had undertaken a preliminary examination into the circumstances surrounding the incident to establish the cause and any lessons which can be learnt from the derailment.
It said that based on the evidence gathered so far, a safety would be published following the investigation and would be available on the RAIB’s website.
Just last week, the RAIB investigated an incident where a passenger was killed after she leant out of a train window and struck her head against a tree branch whilst the train was travelling 85mph.
Image - The derailed train