Morningside Report and Summary Here - KiwiRail

Introduction
This Report records the findings of our investigation into the collision of Train 126 with an
occupied power wheelchair at the Morningside pedestrian crossing on Monday 25 February
2013.
The investigation has been undertaken by the incident investigation team within KiwiRail’s
Safety and People group. This team investigates significant incidents for the purpose of
understanding what happened and to determine whether there are changes that need to be
made in the way KiwiRail undertakes its rail activities to better ensure safety.
In carrying out this investigation the investigators reviewed relevant documentation and
interviewed relevant KiwiRail staff and members of the public including the two individuals
who went to help. The investigators also spoke with the police officer in charge of the scene.
The investigators’ initial findings were discussed with relevant KiwiRail staff and
management. This Report was reviewed by the KiwiRail GM Safety and People and KiwiRail
General Counsel.
An independent external review of this Report has been undertaken by Brian McIntosh, a
Senior Associate of Australasian Transport Risk Solutions Pty Ltd.
What happened?
At about 0906 hours on Monday 25 February 2013, Train 126, a Westfield to Whangarei
express freight service consisting of locomotive DFT7064 and 25 wagons with a gross
tonnage of 401 tonnes and length of 329 m, collided with an occupied power wheelchair on
the pedestrian crossing over the Up Main Line to Swanson at Morningside Drive on the
North Auckland Line.
The operator of the wheelchair, a physically disabled female, had entered the crossing
travelling in an easterly direction. After successfully negotiating the pedestrian crossing over
the loop, she moved on to cross the Up Main Line which ran parallel to the loop.
While doing so, the front caster wheels of the wheelchair became lodged in the flange gap
between the runner (sleeper) and the right hand rail.
A member of the public went from the platform and attempted to free the wheelchair, but
being unable to so, requested assistance from a female passerby who was approaching
from the eastern side of the crossing.
About this time the level crossing alarms activated as Train 126 approached. It appears
that the helpers were eventually able to free the wheelchair’s caster wheels and jump clear
themselves, seconds before Train 126, which was under full emergency braking, passed.
As the locomotive passed, the cow catcher struck the wheelchair which was still occupied by
the operator, and dragged it about five metres from the point of impact until it was released
just short of the southern abutment of the Morningside Up Main Line platform.
The operator of the wheelchair sustained life threatening injuries.
Report on Collision Train 126 with Power Wheelchair, Morningside, 25 February 2013 Page 4