Morningside Report and Summary Here - KiwiRail

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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
Figure 1 shows the layout of Morningside Drive Level Crossing when viewed from the ramp leading to the island platform and looking towards Kingsland. Approach of Train 126 Down Main line Pedestrian maze to island platform Up Main line Direction of travel of wheelchair Loop Figure 1 Morningside Drive level crossing looking towards Kingsland Figure 2 shows the layout of Morningside Drive level crossing and island platform viewed from the direction of travel of Train 126 and shows the position of the wheelchair. Position where wheelchair became stuck Direction of travel of wheelchair Figure 2 Morningside Drive level crossing and island platform Report on Collision Train 126 with Power Wheelchair, Morningside, 25 February 2013 Page 5
Page 1 and 2: Summary of KiwiRail’s Report into
Page 3 and 4: a. Consideration of whether (and if
Page 5 and 6: • 35 collisions between pedestria
Page 7 and 8: COLLISION TRAIN 126 WITH POWER WHEE
Page 9: Glossary Asset Data Base (ADB) At-g
Page 13 and 14: What caused the wheelchair to becom
Page 15 and 16: 83mm 75mm 72mm 92mm Field gap Direc
Page 17 and 18: individual crossings would be stagg
Page 19 and 20: Figure 7 Condition of Morningside D
Page 21 and 22: Undertaking the Work What do the Co
Page 23 and 24: No specific consideration was given

Morningside Report and Summary Here - KiwiRail

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