Passenger fatally injured on a train between Bath and Bristol, Saturday 01/12/18

[Wilts Wanderer]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-46420317

A woman killed on a train may have been leaning out of a window when she suffered a blow to the head, police said.

She died after sustaining serious head injuries on a Bristol Temple Meads-bound service, between Bath and Keynsham.

Police said the woman's death, at about 22:10 GMT on Saturday, was not being treated as suspicious.

The Rail Accident Investigation Branch has been informed.

A British Transport Police statement said: "We were called at around 10.10pm following a report a woman had received serious head injuries while travelling on a train between Bath and Keynsham."

It continued: "Initial inquiries suggest the woman may have been leaning out of a window when she suffered a blow to the head.

"Officers are currently working to confirm her identity and inform her next of kin."

Oh dear - not a good news story. Is this the first passenger fatality on the UK rail network since the young man who was killed in similar circumstances near Wandsworth Road on a GatEx 442? I’m guessing a down HST was the train involved, probably the 2030 Padd-Exeter looking at the time of the incident (approx 2210 between Bath and Keynsham.)

Condolences to the family of the deceased, no doubt an investigation will establish the facts.

 

[Revilo]

I was on the train (and indeed in the carriage) involved so I can confirm it was the 20:30 Paddington to Exeter HST. Staff and passengers behaved extremely well in the circumstances, lots of offers to help. After initially being brought to a stand at Twerton (I think) the train continued to Bristol, this being the quickest means of getting help, sadly to no avail. My condolences to the family of the deceased.

 

[_toommm_]

Condolences to the family of course.

 

[IainG81]

Heartfelt condolences to all the family.
A real tragedy.

 

[Far north 37]

Heartfelt condolences to all the family.
Any ideas which train was going the other direction?

No indication any other train was even involved pretty irrelevant really anyway considering the tragic circumstances.

 

[Highlandspring]

It was a tree branch. Grim.

 

[Spartacus]

Yeah, seems that it was a fallen tree from outside the boundary that came to rest just at the wrong angle.

 

[zoneking]

How is it possible to lean out of the window? All the trains I travel on are either sealed air con units or have windows that only open the top on a hinge so it is impossible to stick your head out.

 

[Bletchleyite]

How is it possible to lean out of the window? All the trains I travel on are either sealed air con units or have windows that only open the top on a hinge so it is impossible to stick your head out.

Not been on an HST then?

 

[cjmillsnun]

How is it possible to lean out of the window? All the trains I travel on are either sealed air con units or have windows that only open the top on a hinge so it is impossible to stick your head out.

HSTs (except the few with power doors) have slam doors that require you to push down a droplight window and reach outside to the door handle to open it. The droplight is not locked during travel (although the door is) and therefore people can open it and lean out.

 

[Larry Trapp]

And the same situation exists on LHS such as MK3 Liverpool Street to Norwich and the MK2 local services used out of Norwich.

I'm sure there are a few more examples up and own the country.

I'm sure somebody mentioned the MKI based mu's upthread which were fitted with bars so one could still reach out to the door handle (though I can't find the post now) but not hang your head out. I remember when Connex fitted these on the 421's etc out of Brighton, I don't understand why this was not done on other stock years ago.

 

[ArchieWoodbine]

For those interested, here's a RAIB report into a simmilar incident at Balham in 2016.

At about 17:24 hrs on Sunday 7 August 2016 a passenger, travelling on a Gatwick
Express service from Gatwick Airport to London Victoria, suffered fatal injuries as
a result of having his head out of a window and striking it on a signal gantry near
Balham in south London. The train was travelling at about 61 mph (98 km/h) at the
time of the accident.
The window concerned was on a door opposite a guard’s compartment in the train;
this door was accessible to passengers but it was not intended for passenger use.
The RAIB has found no evidence to explain why the passenger put his head out of the
window at that time.
The accident occurred because the passenger’s head was out of the window,
there was nothing to prevent passengers from opening the window or putting their
head out of the opened window, and because there was less than the normal
standard clearance between the train and the signal gantry. Although the clearance
was compliant with standards for existing structures, it was less than an industry
recommended minimum for new structures where there are trains with opening
passenger windows.
An underlying cause was that the process for assessing the compatibility of this
train on this route did not identify the risk of the combination of reduced structure
clearances and opening windows.

 

[theironroad]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-46420317


Oh dear - not a good news story. Is this the first passenger fatality on the UK rail network since the young man who was killed in similar circumstances near Wandsworth Road on a GatEx 442? I’m guessing a down HST was the train involved, probably the 2030 Padd-Exeter looking at the time of the incident (approx 2210 between Bath and Keynsham.)

Condolences to the family of the deceased, no doubt an investigation will establish the facts.

I made the mistake of reading this late last night online just before bed, wish I hadn't as I had a wee nightmare during my sleep visualizing the possible aftermath.

Thoughts and prayers with all involved whether family, friends, staff or witnesses.

 

[ValleyLines142]

The woman in question was from Penarth in South Wales, just down the road from me.

 

[yorksrob]

And the same situation exists on LHS such as MK3 Liverpool Street to Norwich and the MK2 local services used out of Norwich.

I'm sure there are a few more examples up and own the country.

I'm sure somebody mentioned the MKI based mu's upthread which were fitted with bars so one could still reach out to the door handle (though I can't find the post now) but not hang your head out. I remember when Connex fitted these on the 421's etc out of Brighton, I don't understand why this was not done on other stock years ago.

The window bars were only fitted to some units which were expected to be used the East Grinstead line, on account of some particularly limited clearances.

Generally they weren't considered necessary.

(By coincidence, I happen to be on the East Grinstead line whilst typing this).

 

[Jona26]

The window bars were only fitted to some units which were expected to be used the East Grinstead line, on account of some particularly limited clearances.

Generally they weren't considered necessary.

(By coincidence, I happen to be on the East Grinstead line whilst typing this).

Also fitted on the Class 501 stock used on the Watford D.C. and Richmond - Broad Street routes.

 

[Dr Hoo]

Also fitted on the Class 501 stock used on the Watford D.C. and Richmond - Broad Street routes.

Tight clearances in Hampstead Heath Tunnel being the issue in that case.

 

[dk1]

And the same situation exists on LHS such as MK3 Liverpool Street to Norwich and the MK2 local services used out of Norwich.

II'm sure somebody mentioned the MKI based mu's upthread which were fitted with bars so one could still reach out to the door handle (though I can't find the post now) but not hang your head out. I remember when Connex fitted these on the 421's etc out of Brighton, I don't understand why this was not done on other stock years ago.

It would not be permitted on all windows as those next to CDL panels need the guard to be able to look out for train dispatch. It is not always possible to see trains away from the DVT/Brake.

 

[yorksrob]

Also fitted on the Class 501 stock used on the Watford D.C. and Richmond - Broad Street routes.

Indeed. Some of the 2EPB's got the same treatment for use on that route.

 

[Intermodal]

It would not be permitted on all windows as those next to CDL panels need the guard to be able to look out for train dispatch. It is not always possible to see trains away from the DVT/Brake.

There is no requirement for the guard to have their head out the window or non-droplight stock would not exist, right?

 

[Wilts Wanderer]

The windows can be opened in the vestibules, usually only used to open the external doors (handles on the outside only to avoid doors being opened in motion) and that is where the unfortunate woman put her head out, despite all the warning notices indicating not to.

Edit - it’s a very sad incident and no doubt the facts will come to light at an appropriate time. Please be respectful in requesting details that will clearly be distressing to those who witnessed events.

 

[dk1]

There is no requirement for the guard to have their head out the window or non-droplight stock would not exist, right?

No but then I do not think you have any non-droplight slam door stock in service across the UK.

 

[GW43125]

There is no requirement for the guard to have their head out the window or non-droplight stock would not exist, right?

Not with power doors there isn't, but there is with slamdoors, as a door coming open or on the catch for example won't stop the train.

 

[dk1]

Not with power doors there isn't, but there is with slamdoors, as a door coming open or on the catch for example won't stop the train.

That's my point. On the GEML guards often have to dispatch hauled sets alone without platform staff & not that the driver is responsible in anyway for doors, but on class 90s we cannot even look back.

 

[GodAtum]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-46619632

A woman who died after leaning out of the window of a moving train was hit by a tree or branch, an inquest has heard.

Bethan Roper, 28, was on her way home from a Christmas shopping trip with friends in Bath when she died on 1 December.

The charity worker, from Penarth in south Wales, suffered serious head injuries while travelling between Bath and Keynsham.

She was pronounced dead at Bristol Temple Meads station.

An inquest into her death was opened and adjourned at Avon Coroners' Court in Flax Bourton.

Miss Roper worked for the Welsh Refugee Council, having graduated from Cardiff Metropolitan University in 2013.

The charity, a sister organisation to the UK-wide Refugee Council, works to help asylum seekers and refugees in Wales.

She was also a campaigner and was chairman of Young Socialists Cardiff.

Last week her father Adrian said: "She was beautiful in every way. Our pain couldn't be sharper or more justified, but I know that her goodness and fullness of spirit will live on in our hearts and actions."

The inquest will resume on 20 March and investigations into the circumstances of her death continue.

The incident was reported to the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB).

British Transport Police and the Office of Rail and Road are also investigating.

(moderator note: please replace this text with a comment of your own at the earliest opportunity, thank you)

 

[Dr_Paul]

Please ignore: Question answered in an earlier post that I've just seen.

 

[NoOnesFool]

What is the line speed for an HST on this section of track?

 

[tiptoptaff]

What is the line speed for an HST on this section of track?

100ish - but it would have still be accelerating away from the Bath stop

 

[cactustwirly]

What is the line speed for an HST on this section of track?

About 100mph I believe

 

[CC 72100]

Just goes up from 90 to 100 in that location- but the train wouldn't be doing that