A train derailed after striking a rail piece left by workers on the track. The incident occurred near Walton-on-Thames.
The train approached Walton-on-Thames station. It traveled at eighty-five miles per hour. It crashed into a piece of rail, causing the front coach to leave the tracks.
The train stopped sixteen hundred feet away. The high-speed impact caused the sudden stop, and the train blocked the railway for hours, disrupting travel plans.
No one suffered injuries, although the train could have hit others. Passengers exited safely as engineers repaired the track and cables. The accident occurred around 5:40 AM.
The railway watchdog investigated the crash and found the rail piece was left behind. Workers had done work in the area, but no one supervised the work properly.
Unfortunately, the track inspector wasn’t briefed well, so checks failed to spot the hazard. The rail piece was in a dangerous spot.
The accident investigator spoke out, saying risk management is key and overnight work is risky. He added that it’s hard to ensure a safe track.
The watchdog called the site complex, claiming work planning wasn’t good enough. The rail section should not have been left.
Network Rail stated safety is vital, noting that Britain’s railway is very safe. But they are not complacent, and new protocols were introduced after the incident.