31-05-08 Fatality at Bath Spa

[heart-of-wessex]

Hi all,

Couldnt find any news on the incident at Bath today on the BBC site!

So I'll type it here. I was at Bath at around 10:35 and went to the Car Park on the Bristol platform and waited for the 1100 BTM HST whilst having a fag on the barrier in front of the railings. 1043 HST comes in to Paddington, decided weather or not to film its arrival, something told me I couldnt be arsed.

Next minute I hear 'BERRRRRR' on the horn then I turn around thinking hmm must be some people close to the edge but at that moment someone went AAAAAHHHHRRGG and then bang!
Engone shut down and front white lights flashing (never seen that before).

Yep I never thought id witness someone going under, apparently someone said they heard its because he dropped his phone on the track, but to be honest everone looked normal, no objects going on the track, just him deciding to do it there and then.

Needless to say I was shaking like mad and thinking holy S**T!
Services were delayed by 2 hours as they sorted the HST out, the driver backed the train so they could get the person out and everyone was evacuated to the car park, even banning people from taking pictures or they will be removed.

And if anyone really needs to know, its 43086/142 that got 'hit'


James.

 

[Coxster]

I believe, James, you were also on the train that derailed near Aldermaston but luckily alighted at Reading?

 

[heart-of-wessex]

haha no it wasn't BSC, but got a joke from someone at BTM who said maybe he needed it for haulage. TBH after seeing it I didn't really take the joke well since I was still shook up from the experience.

Coxster - Yes I nearly got involved with seeing 019 crash at Upton Nervet but got off at Reading to do the Bicester line (thank god I needed the line at the time!!) and nearly had a one-under at Reading on my own train, but we stopped a mile out of Reading because the guy was already on the track waiting! (as you do at a busy station with the train no-where in sight)

 

[1D53]

Remind me never to get on a train with you

 

[scb201]

There is a general rule in the media not to report suicides. With obvious exceptions.

 

[devon_metro]

Needless to say it caused some chaos. Apparently injuries were quite severe.

 

[class 313]

Wonder if it was 'Bathspacentral' on Youtube.

He usually stands close to the edge to get/video horns and he's from the Bath area, so you never know...

What kind of post is that? Honestly? :roll:

 

[Jim]

haha no it wasn't BSC, but got a joke from someone at BTM who said maybe he needed it for haulage. TBH after seeing it I didn't really take the joke well since I was still shook up from the experience.

Coxster - Yes I nearly got involved with seeing 019 crash at Upton Nervet but got off at Reading to do the Bicester line (thank god I needed the line at the time!!) and nearly had a one-under at Reading on my own train, but we stopped a mile out of Reading because the guy was already on the track waiting! (as you do at a busy station with the train no-where in sight)

Blimey James, you've been around a few in your time!

 

[AlexS]

Flashing white lights means the emergency brake has been applied and is a warning to any other trains that may be approaching of a hazard.

 

[Jim]

Flashing white lights means the emergency brake has been applied and is a warning to any other trains that may be approaching of a hazard.

So how come in the 'brake test' you don't get that?

 

[AlexS]

Presumably you don't hit the Big Red Button during a brake test!

 

[Techniquest]

Blimey James, you've been around a few in your time!

He has indeed. It was slightly unnerving to think we were talking about near-misses and close calls just the weekend before! I've never witnessed such a thing, luckily.

So that's two close calls, let's hope the old saying doesn't ring true here!

Of course, James, you are always welcome to call/text/MSN me if you need to chat about it.

 

[driver9000]

So how come in the 'brake test' you don't get that?

The front hazard warning lights (flashing headlamps) is controlled from a different button, and not always initiated (or needed) when the Emergency has been selected. Not all trains have the hazard warning indication fitted, 142, 144, 150, 153, 155, 156 dont have them

 

[Jim]

The front hazard warning lights (flashing headlamps) is controlled from a different button, and not always initiated (or needed) when the Emergency has been selected. Not all trains have the hazard warning indication fitted, 142, 144, 150, 153, 155, 156 dont have them

I'm sorry but I am going to have to correct you. Some of FGW's 153's have new lights installed, along with the Hazard Function


AlexS, having just thought, we are getting our buttons mixed up, as don't HST's also have 1 for just emergancy brake, and another for shut down, brakes and hazards?

 

[driver9000]

I was unaware of the FGW modification - the units I listed are ones I drive that dont have the hazard function, interesting to see what other operators are up to though
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
I was unaware of the FGW modification, the units I listed are the ones I drive and dont have the hazard indication - even ones that have new LED style lights are unable to show the hazad indication. From what Ive seen on HSTs the hazard warning is controlled by a button with the triangle symbol as found on road vehicles.

Interesting to see what other operators are up to though

 

[GWRtom]

i was on the 09:05 from dorchester wich got affected we got to outside bath waited at a red for a few mins then the gaurd
said due to a fatality at bath wehave to run fast back to westbury
we waited there 10 mins for another train wich was overcrowding the crew asked for extra stock but it was denied

 

[Jim]

http://connersgallery.fotopic.net/p50325624.html - best quility shot I can find there...