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First TPE driver suffers suspected heart attack mid-journey

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ainsworth74

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

I wonder if the problem here might be that you've both come across DSDs in different types of trains? I can quite easily believe that the DSD in a 185 have a different feel to the DSD in say a 142.
 
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The NHS is the largest single employer in the world, so the odds are not too bad.

Not strictly true...

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notadriver

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I wonder if the problem here might be that you've both come across DSDs in different types of trains? I can quite easily believe that the DSD in a 185 have a different feel to the DSD in say a 142.

You're probably right - but there is a difference between testing the pressure of the DSD as a one off and having to keep it properly depressed for hours as a driver.
 

GB

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The DSD pedal on a 66 is pretty light. The weight of your foot and boot just resting on it is usually enough.
 

BestWestern

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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!

We can assume, quite safely, that the Guard was involved. Or did there just helpfully happen to be a psychic passenger carrying a T-key on board?!

[edit: Have just read the previous posts stating the known events, which does indeed confirm the involvement of the Guard on board.]

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?

Yes, I think you'd be ok doing that. You would obviously need to accompany said person(s), and perhaps kit them out with a hi-viz if one was to hand, though you wouldn't need to worry too much about that.
 
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455driver

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According to somebody on another forum who knows the driver, he is well on the way to a full recovery and is expected back at work (on light duties not driving) in a couple of months, the "heart attack" was caused by a blood clot which was removed and a stent put in place.

The driver is back to his usual cheery self and looking forward to going home.
 

ainsworth74

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We can assume, quite safely, that the Guard was involved. Or did there just helpfully happen to be a psychic passenger carrying a T-key on board?!

Well obviously the guard was involved (when's the last time you came across a psychic, let alone one wielding a T-key :lol:)! My point was purely to say let's not let ourselves run away with this incident until more information had come to light.

Also when I made that comment all we had to go on was the OPs news story which was pretty light on information beyond what had happened to the driver ;)
 

BestWestern

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Well obviously the guard was involved (when's the last time you came across a psychic, let alone one wielding a T-key :lol:)! My point was purely to say let's not let ourselves run away with this incident until more information had come to light.

Also when I made that comment all we had to go on was the OPs news story which was pretty light on information beyond what had happened to the driver ;)

I've come across one or two psychos with a T key :D

I agree that unfounded whispers spread rather too quickly, my original post was simply to put a mention in for the Guard and our role in general. I allowed myself to make an assumption in this case that the Guard would have been involved, since it would really be unfathomable if he/she wasn't in such a circumstance!

Best wishes to the Driver for a rapid recovery, in the meantime enjoy your light duties as best you can!
 

GB

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Probably not the best place to bring up the DOO vs non DOO can of worms.

Good luck to the driver, hope he gets well and returns to driving.
 

Whistler40145

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IMHO, isn't it a tad insensitive to talk about DOO v non DOO trains. I thought this thread was about the Driver.
 

VTPreston_Tez

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

I agree, the same happened at Euxton a few months ago, anyone remember?

My thoughts are with the driver and I'm grateful he's recovering. A massive well done to everyone involved especially the guard, it is truly wonderful to hear stories like this.
 

14xxDave

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First of all, my best wishes to the driver for a speedy recovery. Well done to the the guard for doing his job and thank goodness he was there.

The driver's DVD is a device that needs to be released and pressed. Should it be just kept pressed then it will initiate a brake application. It's not like the "dead man's handle" of yor.....

D.
 

Whistler40145

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If the train had been DOO then no Guard would have been on the train & the outcome would have been totally different.
 

Skimble19

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How exactly can you possibly know that? Do please provide us with the facts to prove that...
 

BestWestern

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That's just my view on the situation, I am probably wrong & apologise.

Had there not been a Guard the situation would still have been resolved without major incident, but it would likely have taken far longer and the passengers on board the service would have been left completely in the dark regarding what was going on. There is an outside chance, as in all such situations where there is no flow of information, that some may have left the train, but less likely than if there had been an accident of sort sort.

It remains true though that a Guard is invaluable in such situation.

On a related note, SWT sadly lost one of their more respected Guards' managers yesterday, the chap had a heart attack whilst on holiday and didn't pull through. He was, I'm told, 38. Frightening stuff :|
 

michael769

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I agree that it is very bad taste to use an incident like this to support one's views on DOO when the full facts of the incident are not known. I note that the RMT who are strongly anti DOO recognize this and have maintained a dignified silence.

Will the RAIB be investigating this incident as a potentially dangerous occurrence - or will it not meet their criteria?
 

Chris M

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Given that, from what we know, all the safety systems worked as intended I'd be a little surprised if there was an RAIB report.
Had something gone wrong (a safety system not working, pax self-detraining, train stopping in an unreachable location, correct/useable location information not being given to emergency services, etc) then it would be different.

Had there been no guard on the train, the train would still have been brought to a stand, which the signaller would have noticed. In the absence of communication from the train, the signaller would (as they did in this instance) presumably arrange for the driver of a passing train to investigate and render what assistance they can.

On a single track line would a second train approaching at caution be used?

Note I'm not using this an argument for or against DOO, just wondering what would happen.
 

Johnuk123

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Good news that the driver is on the mend although his driving days may be over.
 

Whistler40145

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Glad to hear the driver is getting better, but what a blow it will be for him if that's the end of his driving career.
 

Crossover

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On a single track line would a second train approaching at caution be used?

I'm no expert but unless there has been communications from the train in such a section to clarify it has definitely stopped and definitely isn't going to go anywhere, I highly doubt another train would be allowed into the section, realistically from either end, IMO
 

6Gman

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I agree that it is very bad taste to use an incident like this to support one's views on DOO when the full facts of the incident are not known. I note that the RMT who are strongly anti DOO recognize this and have maintained a dignified silence.

Will the RAIB be investigating this incident as a potentially dangerous occurrence - or will it not meet their criteria?

Coming from a strong railway background (I was a 4th generation railwayman) I would certainly not wish to cause offence or make any remark that could be considered bad taste. If I have upset anyone I apologise.

But the fact remains that if there is only one staff member on a train, and that person is incapacitated in any way, the passengers are left without anyone to provide advice, information or assistance. And nobody to contact Control etc etc
 

68000

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The signaller will know that the DSD has been activated and can use the train's PA lines to seek assistance. The signaller will be in communication with Control etc
 

Matt Taylor

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On a related note, SWT sadly lost one of their more respected Guards' managers yesterday, the chap had a heart attack whilst on holiday and didn't pull through. He was, I'm told, 38. Frightening stuff :|


He was one of my managers, aged just 42 and in good health we thought. A huge loss to Fratton depot and the company as a whole.:cry:
 
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