Recommendations Made Following Worthing Train Driver Death

A Government report on the death of a train driver in Worthing last year has been published along with recommendations for rail bosses.

On February 1, 2022 just after 8.30pm, a passenger train, travelling at 33mph, hit a train driver who had exited the cab of his train, which had stopped at West Worthing Middle Siding.

The driver was killed instantly, however the driver of the moving train and his crew were unaware that they'd hit a person.

It was only when the stationary train was scheduled to move, that the signaller became aware that there was something wrong and contacted another driver to check on the train. It was he who reported the accident.

In its report, the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) determined that the driver had not informed anyone he was leaving his cab or requested for other trains on adjacent lines to be stopped.

They concluded that he was unlikely to have fallen out of the cab or left the train for a work-related reason, and that he had probably stepped out to go to the toilet or smoke a cigarette, believing that he was safe.

In summary as to the reasons why the driver was hit by a train, the RAIB states that the driver had inadvertently stepped in front of an approaching train, possibly due to a loss of balance 'or while trying to regain his feet following a fall from the cab access steps or a loss of footing on ballast. He may also have slipped or tripped on a wooden board that had been left detached on the track for many years'.

The report goes on to make three recommendations:

• The first recommendation, made to Govia Thameslink Railway, requires that on-train staff have adequate access to toilets across all of their routes.

• The second recommendation is made to the Department for Transport, in conjunction with the Rail Safety and Standards Board, and relates to reviewing standards to ensure the mandatory fitment of forward-facing CCTV equipment to new trains.

• The third recommendation is made to the Rail Safety and Standards Board, in conjunction with operators of trains, and encourages consideration of fitment of forward-facing CCTV equipment to existing trains.

The RAIB also identified four learning points.

• The first reminds traincrew to arrange appropriate protection before leaving their cabs.
• The second highlights the importance of wearing suitable personal protective equipment.
• The third learning point prompts infrastructure managers to take timely action to remove tripping hazards.
• The final learning point reminds employers of train drivers to assure themselves that the correct protective equipment is being worn by their staff.

At the time of the incident, Angie Doll, Managing Director of Southern Railway, said:

 “We are devastated to confirm that one of our train drivers was pronounced dead at West Worthing station on 1 February.

“At this unimaginably difficult time, I offer my heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and colleagues. Everyone in our railway family is heartbroken by the loss of one of our own.”