Obstruction on the line between Perth & Dunkeld

[norbitonflyer]

999 will be well versed in connecting to the Network Rail emergency line and getting the line blocked. Without an accurate location they may take a conservative approach on how much line to block, though you'd hope the driver would have some sort of idea where they are.

In the absence of ice last night, my guess (but this is pure speculation) is the driver was impaired e.g. through drink or drugs, distracted e.g. by their mobile phone, or suffered a medical event. Given it happened in the early hours, .........

Could the driver have fallen asleep?

The incident looks similar to Great Heck, but without the tragic consequences. There the driver was able to dial 999 immediately, (albeit not soon enough as there were two trains fast approaching) but whether the driver was able to do so in this incident would depend both on whether he/she was conscious and on whether their phone could get a signal.

 

[styles]

Could the driver have fallen asleep?

It's possible. At that time of the morning my guess is drink driving, but it's pure speculation on my part.

 

[Ediswan]

Could the driver have fallen asleep?

The incident looks similar to Great Heck, but without the tragic consequences. There the driver was able to dial 999 immediately, (albeit not soon enough as there were two trains fast approaching) but whether the driver was able to do so in this incident would depend both on whether he/she was conscious and on whether their phone could get a signal.

Or another driver witnessed the event ...

 

[Falcon1200]

999 will be well versed in connecting to the Network Rail emergency line and getting the line blocked.

Indeed. The Emergency Services have a dedicated number to contact Network Rail Control, this activates a siren ensuring a prompt response!

 

[ExRes]

deleted

 

[norbitonflyer]

I suspect it's gone nose first into somewhere near the rail on the right in the NR photo, deposited part of the bumper there and then "flipped" over the 4 foot landing on the other side. There's debris (soil?) over the 4 foot too. A lucky escape!

There is no report of such having happened, but could it have ended up in that position after having been pushed aside by a train? The vehicle looks a lot smaller and lighter than Gary Hart's Land Rover that caused the derailment at Great Heck.

 

[zwk500]

There is no report of such having happened, but could it have ended up in that position after having been pushed aside by a train? The vehicle looks a lot smaller and lighter than Gary Hart's Land Rover that caused the derailment at Great Heck.

I suspect that if the vehicle had been struck by a train, it would have been very much more damaged. The windows were all intact in one of the photos (post #4).