Passengers on a train near Manor Park station were involved in an incident when the train exceeded the speed limit by 20mph while passing over a set of points. The train, traveling at a speed of 45mph (72 km/h), hit the points just east of the station at 8.11am on September 24. The maximum speed allowed for these points is 25mph (40 km/h), so the train’s high speed caused it to jolt sideways. The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) stated that although there were no reported injuries, some passengers lost their footing and at least one passenger fell to the floor due to the sudden movement of the train. Fortunately, the train did not derail, and there was no damage to the infrastructure or the train itself, as confirmed by the RAIB.
The RAIB spokesperson explained that the train passing over the points at a speed higher than the permitted limit caused it to move sideways, resulting in passengers experiencing difficulty maintaining their balance. Despite the lack of injuries, the incident prompted the RAIB to conduct a preliminary examination to determine the circumstances surrounding the event. Based on the evidence gathered so far, the decision was made to release a safety digest instead of launching a full investigation. This safety digest is issued when the authorities opt not to pursue a comprehensive inquiry and instead focus on reviewing the available information.
Transport for London (TfL) has been approached for a statement regarding the incident, but no response has been received yet. It is essential for transportation authorities to ensure that safety regulations are strictly adhered to in order to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future. Passengers’ safety should always be a top priority, and thorough investigations must be conducted to determine the root causes of any potential safety breaches. Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story as more information becomes available.
