Fatality at Trowbridge

[BestWestern]

I don't think has crept in anywhere so far, so just for the record (as it's been a topical subject for some time now) there was sadly another fatality this morning, in the Trowbridge, Wiltshire, area. I understand that a young eastern European lady was apparently laying down across the line in the path of the train, and the death was treated as 'non suspicious'. Train involved was a First Gt Western local from Gt Malvern to Westbury, which terminated at Trowbridge with pax conveyed forwards by road transport. Sympathies to the Driver as always, not a nice experience.

Presumably by coincidence, there were a couple of delayed services this evening due to reports of suicidal person at Lawrence Hill station, Bristol, but it appears that nobody was evident when the area was checked.

 

[heart-of-wessex]

Yes not nice at all, just as well I wasn't down there at that time.

Trains cancelled between 1128 and 1253, then 3 were running about 15 minutes late each and then it was just about back on track.

This morning the Weymouth terminated at Westbury for staff issues I believe, and yesterday there was delays up the Avon Valley due to a signal farce, not a good week!

 

[BestWestern]

This morning the Weymouth terminated at Westbury for staff issues I believe, and yesterday there was delays up the Avon Valley due to a signal farce, not a good week!

Indeed It started pretty badly on sunday really, with major signalling problems between Bath and Bristol. Hopefully things will get better tomorrow!

 

[Ivo]

This also comes on the back of another such incident only last week at nearby Oldfield Park. When FGW are affected the area in question is usually between Paddington and Reading, so to have had two in this area in a few days is quite disturbing

Needless to say, condolences, sympathies and best wishes to all affected.

 

[BestWestern]

This also comes on the back of another such incident only last week at nearby Oldfield Park. When FGW are affected the area in question is usually between Paddington and Reading, so to have had two in this area in a few days is quite disturbing

Must have missed that one, what occurred at OLF?

 

[Ivo]

All I know is that it was a middle-aged man on Thursday evening. I know it's a bit late, but the same sorrowful feelings to all affected then as well...

 

[BestWestern]

All I know is that it was a middle-aged man on Thursday evening. I know it's a bit late, but the same sorrowful feelings to all affected then as well...

I wasn't aware of that one, very sad as always

 

[Temple Meads]

Went over that stretch of line tonight, a bit of a strange feeling thinking what happened earlier on.

Best wishes to all involved

 

[deltic1989]

Sadly once again I must convey my sympathies to the Driver, Guard and Passengers on what must have been a horrific experience.
This kind of event is becoming all to common on our railways, but I imagine very little can be done to stop it.

 

[elementalpat]

Seems the Stoke on Trent area has also suffered recently. A fatality quite recently (not sure which day) and reports of another one this morning.

Again, sympathies to all involved during these tough times.

 

[ValleyLines142]

Seems the Stoke on Trent area has also suffered recently. A fatality quite recently (not sure which day) and reports of another one this morning.

Again, sympathies to all involved during these tough times.

Indeed so. 220034 on 1V49 0907 Manchester to Bristol ran 45 minutes late today. Caught it from BPW to BRI.

Thoughts to those affected also.

 

[tsr]

Two false alarms regarding people hit by trains occurred at Norbury (this morning at around 0825) and New Cross Gate (at around 1800, as far as I can tell) today, plus, unfortunately, a person was hit by a train in the vicinity of Ladywell station at approximately 1830.

The incident train at Norbury then had a door problem, from what I gather, and just after that, track safety checks and repairs had to be made at Balham. I was on a train which was cautioned through the area with a resulting 12-minute delay (the 0826 East Croydon to London Victoria, which originates at Caterham, I believe).

 

[WelshBluebird]

This also comes on the back of another such incident only last week at nearby Oldfield Park.

I got caught up in that one. Not great at all from FGW.
I have massive amounts of sympathy to the person involved, to their family, to the staff on the affected train etc etc. But FGW did not handle the situation well at all (no useful information available and I ended up being 50 minutes late and having to pay for a bus off my own back from Bath Spa to my house, instead of just getting the train to Oldfield Park).

But again, my sympathies go out to the person, their family and friends, the staff on the affected train etc. But whoever was supposed to be taking charge of the situation from a customer service point of view needs to be retrained IMO!

 

[BestWestern]

I got caught up in that one. Not great at all from FGW.

.....

But again, my sympathies go out to the person, their family and friends, the staff on the affected train etc. But whoever was supposed to be taking charge of the situation from a customer service point of view needs to be retrained IMO!

Part of the problem - though not necessarily all of it - is that these situations can take a very long while to be resolved, and of all the different organisations involved in the aftermath, the TOC who's train did the deed is pretty much last on the list of importance.

The police, civil and/or BTP, are ultimately in charge to begin with, and they must first establish whether there are any suspicious circumstances to look into. Until that is complete the train involved cannot move, and Network Rail cannot get anybody down to begin the clean up. When they're done, the body must be dealt with and the site cleared, as trains cannot pass until nothing is visible to those on board. All of this can take an awfully long time, far longer than you may imagine. And then, when the TOC is eventually told they can have their train back, they might still be waiting on the relevant manager to arrive and carry out the chain of care procedure, and very possibly a competent person to actually move the train if the original Driver is not able to. There might also be damage to the train which requires fitters to attend prior to any movement being made, and there could be further difficulties regarding where the train can be moved to; for example a station may need to be cleared of people before it can arrive into a platform if the circumstances were particularly unpleasant. And then, finally, you have all the other trains stacked up on all sides, jamming everything up and making the whole operation even harder.

It's a hell of a headache If there was a lack of information, it is likely to be because there simply isn't any information to share. It pretty much takes as long as it takes!

 

[D2022]

I was at Trowbridge when this happened, not far from the station, very surreal. No sirens and what seemed a very little emergency service presence. I got on a train at about half 12 and no sign of anything. Very well done to all staff involved and condolences to the affected parties. Shame some locals seemed to think it was amusing, but that's trow for you.

 

[Johnuk123]

I was at Trowbridge when this happened, not far from the station, very surreal. No sirens and what seemed a very little emergency service presence. I got on a train at about half 12 and no sign of anything. Very well done to all staff involved and condolences to the affected parties. Shame some locals seemed to think it was amusing, but that's trow for you.

I doubt if the residents of Trowbridge are any different to the rest of the country when it comes to this sort of thing.

Respect is a thing in short supply nowadays.

 

[D2022]

I doubt if the residents of Trowbridge are any different to the rest of the country when it comes to this sort of thing.

Respect is a thing in short supply nowadays.

That's very true sadly, someone loses their life and a driver potentially has his ruined career wise and people don't bat an eyelid, saddens me greatly. Shame being the age I am,(20) it's mostly my age group who show no respect or care towards anyone or anything except drugs, sex and being a pain. Exceptions excluded of course.