Incident near Leeds (03/11/15)

[TB]

Train services between Leeds and York and Leeds and Selby have been disrupted this afternoon after a man apparently fell from a bridge in the Quarry Hill area of Leeds and landed on the track.

If that wasn't bad enough, he hit the OLE on the way down.

 

[Bantamzen]

Train services between Leeds and York and Leeds and Selby have been disrupted this afternoon after a man apparently fell from a bridge in the Quarry Hill area of Leeds and landed on the track.

If that wasn't bad enough, he hit the OLE on the way down.

I walked past the bus station not long after it must have occurred, and there was a cordoned of area around the grassed area below the viaduct opposite with a 155 stranded above. Quite a few people seemed to be aware that there had been a fatality so I assumed that this was there area that the incident had taken place?

 

[crispy1978]

He's in a critical condition according to Minster FM

http://www.minsterfm.com/news/local/1781805/man-electrocuted-on-leedsyork-railway/

A man has been electrocuted after trespassing on the Leeds to York railway line near Leeds station. He was taken to hospital suffering from severe burns and is in a critical condition.

 

[wensley]

Quite a few people seemed to be aware that there had been a fatality so I assumed that this was there area that the incident had taken place?

Correct area, but not a fatality. It's a horrible thing for all involved, as 25kv takes no prisoners. Here's hoping the injured party pulls through.

 

[Domh245]

One for Mr Plopp. What effect would someone falling onto the OHLE have on the OHLE? I doubt that it would break the wires, but I imagine the registration equipment might be damaged slightly? What would need to happen to get trains moving again from that Point of View?

 

[wensley]

One for Mr Plopp. What effect would someone falling onto the OHLE have on the OHLE? I doubt that it would break the wires, but I imagine the registration equipment might be damaged slightly? What would need to happen to get trains moving again from that Point of View?

Depends on many factors as to the level of damage caused. A similar incident at Sandy last year parted the headspan IIRC, the whole lot certainly came crashing down. In this case an inspection by the OLE staff was carried out before authorising normal working for electric traction.

 

[Philip Phlopp]

One for Mr Plopp. What effect would someone falling onto the OHLE have on the OHLE? I doubt that it would break the wires, but I imagine the registration equipment might be damaged slightly? What would need to happen to get trains moving again from that Point of View?

As the nice man above says, basically.

Check for damage, repair damage, caution the first trains through the area to check for anything coming lose under pantograph tension if possible/necessary.

I'm not all that familiar with Leeds from the ground - have had a quick look with the maps and don't see any bridges to fall from in the area described, was rather hoping (selfishly, I suppose) the electric shock happened before the fall, and not that he actually hit the OLE.

In theory (but so many variables involved) if you were to jump off a bridge and hit or pass close to the OLE, you should avoid a shock, as you're not earthed, so I'm wondering if the person was on the bridge, got too close still earthed, OLE arced and person duly shocked, rendered unconscious and then fell onto the ground, without actually contacting the OLE.

 

[Domh245]

In theory (but so many variables involved) if you were to jump off a bridge and hit or pass close to the OLE, you should avoid a shock, as you're not earthed, so I'm wondering if the person was on the bridge, got too close still earthed, OLE arced and person duly shocked, rendered unconscious and then fell onto the ground, without actually contacting the OLE.

Would it not be possible for the person to have fallen such that they bridged a live part of the system and the earthed part. That would surely shock them?

 

[Philip Phlopp]

Would it not be possible for the person to have fallen such that they bridged a live part of the system and the earthed part. That would surely shock them?

Yes, it's always possible to have fallen and to remain so close to the bridge that you become the arc instead of the earthing point (i.e you're not still earthed but the electric will jump through you to earth) but that's more a function of the clearance under the bridge - if it's particularly tight, that's more likely to happen, if there's an enormous amount of clearance, it's unlikely to happen.

You can also fall and land on the cantilever arm providing a path between the earthed mast and the live catenary element, and if it's a particularly damp or wet day, the safety margins all decrease further.