This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-50013208
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Margam rail workers' deaths: 'No formal lookout' appointed | |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| There were no formally appointed lookouts at the site where two rail workers were hit and killed by a train, a report has said. | There were no formally appointed lookouts at the site where two rail workers were hit and killed by a train, a report has said. |
| Gareth Delbridge, 64, and Michael "Spike" Lewis, 58, were hit by a Swansea to Paddington train on 3 July. | Gareth Delbridge, 64, and Michael "Spike" Lewis, 58, were hit by a Swansea to Paddington train on 3 July. |
| An interim report from the Rail Accidents Investigation Branch (RAIB) said a third worker came "very close" to being hit in Margam, Port Talbot. | An interim report from the Rail Accidents Investigation Branch (RAIB) said a third worker came "very close" to being hit in Margam, Port Talbot. |
| The three were part of a group of six carrying out maintenance work. | The three were part of a group of six carrying out maintenance work. |
| The train driver made an "emergency application of the train's brakes" about nine seconds before the accident, the report said. | The train driver made an "emergency application of the train's brakes" about nine seconds before the accident, the report said. |
| It was travelling at about 50mph (80km/h) when it hit the track workers. | It was travelling at about 50mph (80km/h) when it hit the track workers. |
| Family said Mr Delbridge, from Kenfig Hill, was the "most loving husband, father, brother and granddad" while Mr Lewis, from North Cornelly, was "loved by everyone". | Family said Mr Delbridge, from Kenfig Hill, was the "most loving husband, father, brother and granddad" while Mr Lewis, from North Cornelly, was "loved by everyone". |
| "The RAIB's preliminary conclusion is that the accident occurred because the three track workers were working on a line that was open to traffic, without the presence of formally appointed lookouts to warn them of approaching trains," the report said. | "The RAIB's preliminary conclusion is that the accident occurred because the three track workers were working on a line that was open to traffic, without the presence of formally appointed lookouts to warn them of approaching trains," the report said. |
| At the time of the accident, the six workers at had split into two groups - none of them were aware a train was approaching "until it was too late to move to a position of safety". | |
| Investigators said the victims were "almost certainly" wearing ear defenders because a noisy power tool was being used to carry out repairs and a "vital safety barrier" was missing in the absence of a lookout. | Investigators said the victims were "almost certainly" wearing ear defenders because a noisy power tool was being used to carry out repairs and a "vital safety barrier" was missing in the absence of a lookout. |
| The RAIB said its investigation was continuing, but the factors outlined "created conditions that made an accident much more likely". | The RAIB said its investigation was continuing, but the factors outlined "created conditions that made an accident much more likely". |
| Further aspects of the accident will be investigated including group behaviour, the planning and paperwork, safety auditing and the selection and training of track workers. | Further aspects of the accident will be investigated including group behaviour, the planning and paperwork, safety auditing and the selection and training of track workers. |
| The RAIB's initial report adds to Network Rail and Great Western Railway's report, while British Transport Police said previously its investigation would "continue for some time". | |
| The report said the plan for repairs provided "no clarity on the safe system of work". | |
| Planning paperwork indicated work was due to start at 12:30 to coincide with the planned blockage of the a line, but workers began at about 08:50. | |
| Witness evidence suggests there was a widespread belief at the local maintenance depot there was "no need to wait" for the planned line closure in the afternoon, the RAIB found. | |
| There was a "general lack of understanding" as to how the planning paperwork should be interpreted, investigators added. |