Derailment at Longleat Safari Park

[ECML180]

At some point this afternoon the jungle express (light rail/narrow gauge) train derailed. It was treated as a major incident with numerous emergency services vehicles in attendance, ambulances were still arriving at least 2 hours after the derailment.

It looked to be a disabled accessible carriage in the middle of the consist that had fallen off onto the inside of a bend but I can't be sure. All vehicles appeared to have remained upright.

Staff were rude and unhelpful, moving on people who were looking after casualties had left but keeping a ride queue open right next to the train where even more were staring whilst people were still being treated.

Looks like a minor incident but looking at the Park's response I have little faith in them being able to cope with anything more, they could barely even get the ambulances into the car park!

Would this have to be reported to the RAIB?

 

[ainsworth74]

Would this have to be reported to the RAIB?

That would depend on if it was notifiable or not and if it is one of the systems covered by the RAIB.

 

[ushawk]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-wiltshire-28871327

Longleat Adventure Park train crash leaves six hurt

Six people were injured when a train at Longleat Adventure Park overturned.

A woman suffered leg fractures and was airlifted to hospital after the crash at about 15:45 BST.

Two carriages came off the track as the train - carrying 155 passengers - was coming into the park's main square, a spokesperson said.

Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service said five people, described as "walking wounded", were treated at the scene of the accident.

The train's rear carriage went on to its side and the other remained upright, leaving the other carriages on the track.

Lisa Mowe from Coventry, who was one the train with her 15-year-old son Hadley and his friend Jason Thomas, said it was "a horrible experience."

6 injured - one carriage overturned.

 

[nag67]

Simplistically, gauge has to be over 350mm (14 in) and it has to cross a route on which the public can drive a motor vehicle (over, under or level).

 

[richw]

Simplistically, gauge has to be over 350mm (14 in) and it has to cross a route on which the public can drive a motor vehicle (over, under or level).

Its a 15inch gauge from memory, there is a level crossing, but I think vehicle access is limited to staff.

 

[edwin_m]

There's a set of red/green crossing warning lights visible on the photo in the BBC story.

 

[richw]

There's a set of red/green crossing warning lights visible on the photo in the BBC story.

That is a public foot crossing, but staff vehicles use it to access the area.
More concerningly the light is green in that photo, but clearly the crossing isn't clear.

 

[ECML180]

Noticed today that it says (presumably as a standard sign) "If no light, telephone signaller" and there is no phone provided!

I think it probably has gone green as the last 2 coaches derailed and so no longer activated track circuits? I used it a few times today and nothing unusual happened, it seemed to go green after the train had cleared the crossing by about a carriage length.

 

[Scott M]

Hope everybody involved make a swift recovery.

Wonder if it was the driver's fault?

 

[455driver]

Hope everybody involved make a swift recovery.

Wonder if it was the driver's fault?

In what way?

 

[Antman]

At some point this afternoon the jungle express (light rail/narrow gauge) train derailed. It was treated as a major incident with numerous emergency services vehicles in attendance, ambulances were still arriving at least 2 hours after the derailment.

It looked to be a disabled accessible carriage in the middle of the consist that had fallen off onto the inside of a bend but I can't be sure. All vehicles appeared to have remained upright.

Staff were rude and unhelpful, moving on people who were looking after casualties had left but keeping a ride queue open right next to the train where even more were staring whilst people were still being treated.

Looks like a minor incident but looking at the Park's response I have little faith in them being able to cope with anything more, they could barely even get the ambulances into the car park!

Would this have to be reported to the RAIB?

Everybody else seems to be full of praise for the staff at Longleat.

 

[daikilo]

Everybody else seems to be full of praise for the staff at Longleat.

Quote "staff were rude and unhelpful" is not what is needed in such a situation. **** happens and there is no point in denying it. Close and cope. When all issues are resolved, reopen.

 

[ECML180]

Everybody else seems to be full of praise for the staff at Longleat.

Well what I witnessed was quite a shambles but I didn't witness the derailment.

Quote "staff were rude and unhelpful" is not what is needed in such a situation. **** happens and there is no point in denying it. Close and cope. When all issues are resolved, reopen.

I'm not sure what point you're trying to make?

 

[richw]

Well what I witnessed was quite a shambles but I didn't witness the derailment.



I'm not sure what point you're trying to make?

The local rag online had eye witness reports saying it was chaos. I can't remember which rag it was though now,

 

[ECML180]

BBC News reported last night that it had happened in the same location before and provided footage of a derailment 3 years ago, not sure if this was previously reported.

 

[richw]

BBC News reported last night that it had happened in the same location before and provided footage of a derailment 3 years ago, not sure if this was previously reported.

From memory there is a really sharp bend at that point with a very low speed restriction.

 

[edwin_m]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-wiltshire-28969220

A miniature train accident at Longleat Adventure Park is being investigated by the rail watchdog, the BBC has learned.

Six people were hurt when the Jungle Express train derailed at the Wiltshire park on 20 August.

The Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) said a similar incident in September 2011 was not examined by them as it was not aware of it.

...

The ORR regulates health and safety for the entire mainline rail network in Britain, as well as London Underground, light rail, trams and the heritage sector.

A spokesman said its remit also included monorails and added the Longleat railway fell within its jurisdiction as the track gauge is greater than 350mm (13.8 in).

Rather surprised this is ORR rather than RAIB, as Longleat would appear to fall within their remit too.