The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) has published its interim report into the collision between two passenger trains at Salisbury Tunnel Junction on 31 October 2021.
At around 18:43 hrs on 31 October 2021, train reporting number 1L53, the 17:20 hrs South Western Railway passenger service from London Waterloo to Honiton, collided with the side of train 1F30, the 17:08 hrs Great Western Railway passenger service from Portsmouth Harbour to Bristol Temple Meads. The collision took place at Salisbury Tunnel Junction, which is on the immediate approach to Fisherton tunnel, near Salisbury in Wiltshire.
Thirteen passengers and one member of railway staff required treatment in hospital as a result of the accident, which also caused significant damage to the trains and railway infrastructure involved.
RAIB’s interim report sets out more information about the accident, including the chain of events leading up to the collision and what happened immediately afterwards. It summarises the investigative work undertaken to date and explains RAIB’s initial findings about the condition of the railhead on the day of the accident and how low adhesion was being managed. It also sets out RAIB’s future actions in this investigation.
A final report will be published by RAIB on completion of its investigation. The interim report can be found on the RAIB website.
Photo credit: RAIB
