First TPE driver suffers suspected heart attack mid-journey

[Crossover]

From York Press:
http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/9934296.Heart_attack_train_driver_hailed/

Heart attack train driver hailed

A train driver who suffered a heart attack when in control of a commuter train heading towards York has been praised for ensuring his passengers’ safety.

Medically trained passengers on board the 9.48am TransPennine Express Scarborough to Liverpool Lime Street service also helped give first aid after the driver began having problems breathing.

Ambulance and fire services were called yesterday at about 10am after the driver managed to bring the service to a safe stop close to Rillington Crossing.

A spokeswoman for Yorkshire Air Ambulance said it received a call following reports that the train driver was having “heart difficulties” after the service passed the stop at Seamer. It was unclear whether the driver or passengers on alerted the emergency services.

She said the driver had managed to stop the train safely despite his problems. The train was next due to stop at Malton , then York.

Passengers were stranded and the train was halted for more than an hour as paramedics and firefighters worked to get the train driver, who has not been named, to safety.

The driver, a man in his 50s, was airlifted to the specialist cardiothoracic unit at Case Hill Hospital, in Hull.

His condition was thought to be stable as The Press went to print last night.

A spokesman for TransPennine Express said: “A member of train crew was found to be seriously unwell and emergency services were called and responded. Assistance was also provided by medically trained passengers on board the train.

“A member of staff was later airlifted to Castle Hill hospital in Hull where he remains under treatment.

“The service was taken to Malton where it was terminated at 12.10. Passengers were transferred to another service for their onward journeys.

Mick Wheelan, general secretary of ASLEF, the train drivers’ union, hailed the driver’s actions in stopping the train safely, saying: “Train drivers have a long history and inbuilt nature to consider the safety and needs of their passengers ahead of their own safety. This comes both from training and instinct.

“From what we believe about this incident this driver has done everything he can to ensure the safety of the passengers and himself to the best of his ability.”

I heard about it earlier today. Given the circumstances, I'm not sure if the driver will have brought the train to a stand or if one of the safety systems intervened. Either way, both the driver and train did what was needed to keep everyone safe.

Hope the driver makes a full recovery

 

[Whistler40145]

Any news on the well being of the Driver?

 

[Crossover]

I've not heard anything beyond what has been reported in the press today

 

[Whistler40145]

Hopefully, no news could be good news.

 

[BestWestern]

I heard about it earlier today. Given the circumstances, I'm not sure if the driver will have brought the train to a stand or if one of the safety systems intervened. Either way, both the driver and train did what was needed to keep everyone safe.

Unless I'm mistaken, this was not a Driver Only Operation (DOO) train? Therefore it is only right to point out that the Guard would almost certainly have played a rather pivotal role in dealing with the situation. No mention of that anywhere hence my DOO mention, but I didn't think TransPennine Express (TPE) had any?

 

[ainsworth74]

TPE are not a DOO TOC, indeed none of the major northern TOCs operate any DOO.

 

[BestWestern]

TPE are not a DOO TOC, indeed none of the major northern TOCs operate any DOO.

That's as I thought. In which case, the Guard is well worth a mention as they would most certainly have helped deal with it. Gotta remind people what we're there for these days...!!

 

[wilsontown]

The York Press also had nicely sensationalised editorial, saying something like "We may never know how close the train came to disaster".

Given that there would be at least three safety systems that should intervene to safely stop the train in the event of the driver being incapacitated, I wouldn't be all that worried about a potential disaster.

Hopefully the driver will make a full recovery.

 

[Whistler40145]

Although I don't work on the railways, obviously the press haven't a clue about a train's safety systems.

I presume that if a Driver is incapacitated that the DSD is immediately activated?

 

[michael769]

Out of interest how strong is the spring on the DSD pedal/lever, could an incapacitated driver still inadvertently maintain pressure?

Obviously I realize in that case the train would be stopped the next time he failed to respond to the vigilance or AWS alarms if TPWS did not kick in before that.

In any case there are few things that would incapacitate a driver so suddenly and so severely (stroke is the only one that comes to mind) that they would not manage to hit the emergency brake before they became completely incapable IMO.

 

[MattRobinson]

Ah, but, BestWestern, 'The passengers sorted everything out' sounds much better than 'the guard sorted everything out with some assistance from the passengers'...

 

[ainsworth74]

Well seeing as we don't know what happened on board (beyond a passenger providing medical assistance) I'm not sure we can comment very far on what happened. We still don't even know if the train was stopped by the driver or one of the safety systems!

 

[Whistler40145]

We must not speculate on how the train was controlled & keep our thoughts on the well being of the Driver.

 

[OuterDistant]

Out of interest how strong is the spring on the DSD pedal/lever, could an incapacitated driver still inadvertently maintain pressure?

He certainly could on older stock - two accidents where this happened were Bradford (1964) and Shields Junction (1973).

 

[6Gman]

First thoughts go to the driver and family, but two further observations:

1. Good argument AGAINST passenger DOO

2. Why does the press insist on describing off-peak trains as "commuter" trains?

 

[ANorthernGuard]

Heres what I reckon happened

Driver has chest pains/shortage of breath etc.

Stops Train

Guard wonders whats going on

after either speaking on Cab 2 Cab or directly to driver he contacts emergency services

Guard asks if there is anybody on board with medical training

doctor/nurse/paramedic etc as passenger on board helps until emergency services arrive

Guard finishes shift and has a good strong drink.

whatever actually happened well done to the people who helped

 

[Harbon 1]

First thoughts go to the driver and family, but two further observations:

1. Good argument AGAINST passenger DOO

2. Why does the press insist on describing off-peak trains as "commuter" trains?

If it only/doesn't get to 100, it's for commuters only

 

[Solent&Wessex]

For information the Driver is well. He was airlifted to hospital in Hull where they undertook an emergency operation to remove a blood clot close to the heart. By that evening he was reported to be awake and recovering well, although will have to spend a good few days in hospital to recuperate.

The information to hand at the time was that the driver was slipping in and out of consciousness, and the train was stopped by the activation of the DSD. The DSD requires the peddle to be released and depressed again, so it is not possible to continually weigh it down and keep going. It is believed that the Guard, once he became aware of the situation after the train had stopped, immediately established the location of the train and made an emergency call. Luckily medically trained passengers were on board the train, as the train was in a remote location. A train going the other way was stopped by the signaller and brought alongside so that the Driver & Guard on that train could assist as required.

 

[Whistler40145]

I am glad the Driver is well. I wish him the best of health.

 

[transmanche]

It's good to hear that the driver is making a recovery and that everything worked as it should do in such situations.

As regards the reporting; remember that most people (and most journalists) have absolutely no clue how trains work... and why should they! They won't know about the various systems and devices designed to protect the train in this kind of scenario. From their frame of reference, they'll equate a train driver becoming incapacitated with what might happen to a car, lorry or coach in a similar situation.

 

[Flamingo]

Thanks for that KWVR. Best of luck to the driver. I always dread something like that happening on a HST, apart from anything else, getting medically trained passengers to the cab would be a bit interesting!

 

[WelshBluebird]

Well done to those involved and glad to hear the driver seems ok.
I am first aid trained and I really hope that I never have to use those skills.

 

[ainsworth74]

Thanks for that KWVR. Best of luck to the driver. I always dread something like that happening on a HST, apart from anything else, getting medically trained passengers to the cab would be a bit interesting!

It would be even worse on say a 91+Mk4 service seeing as there's no link at all between the 91 and the Mk4s. Is a driver having a medical emergency a good enough reason to take a passenger track side and then on into the locomotive assuming that it's fairly safe to do so?

I am first aid trained and I really hope that I never have to use those skills.

Yes, it's one of the few skills that hope that you never have cause to show off.

Also as with the others I can only hope the driver the swiftest of recoveries.

 

[ChiefPlanner]

Well handled by the sound of it , and lets hope the driver makes a full recovery.

(many years ago , a similar thing happened on an East Anglian DMU service - pre NRN / CSR or mobile phones - literally in the middle of nowhere - the guard did the 1st aid bit and called for support and drove the unit to the nearest station where medical assistance could be provided)

I do not recall any disciplinary action from local management.

 

[scotsman]

Out of interest how strong is the spring on the DSD pedal/lever, could an incapacitated driver still inadvertently maintain pressure?

It's fairly light, I'd say it's just strong enough to be pressed with no feeling of effort.

 

[Johnuk123]

Good to hear the driver seems to be on the mend.

Isn't amazing that every train,cinema,plane etc. always has a doctor handy or so it seems.

 

[Kneedown]

So glad to hear the Driver is doing well, and here's to a speedy full recovery.
My heartfelt thanks to all who were involved, staff and passengers alike, who's swift actions prevented a tragedy.

 

[Crossover]

Thanks for the update kwvr45 - glad to hear the driver is doing well

 

[Solent&Wessex]

For information the Driver is well. He was airlifted to hospital in Hull where they undertook an emergency operation to remove a blood clot close to the heart. By that evening he was reported to be awake and recovering well, although will have to spend a good few days in hospital to recuperate.

The information to hand at the time was that the driver was slipping in and out of consciousness, and the train was stopped by the activation of the DSD. The DSD requires the peddle to be released and depressed again, so it is not possible to continually weigh it down and keep going. It is believed that the Guard, once he became aware of the situation after the train had stopped, immediately established the location of the train and made an emergency call. Luckily medically trained passengers were on board the train, as the train was in a remote location. A train going the other way was stopped by the signaller and brought alongside so that the Driver & Guard on that train could assist as required.

As is always the case with these events, the initial facts may not be entirely accurate. Information is now that the driver did in fact stop the train in a safe and sensible manner, a bit more controlled than just the DSD.

This report from the Liverpool Echo appears to be quite accurate from what we have heard since.

 

[notadriver]

It's fairly light, I'd say it's just strong enough to be pressed with no feeling of effort.

I'm not sure I'd agree with that.