Fatal accident near Roade
Investigation into a fatal accident near Roade, Northamptonshire, 8 April 2020.
West Coast Main Line near Roade
At around 10:52 hrs on 8 April 2020, a track worker was struck and fatally injured by a passenger train on the West Coast Main Line near to the village of Roade. The track worker was part of a group that were undertaking civil engineering work at the location. At the time of the accident the line was open to traffic.
The train was travelling from Northampton to London (Euston), at around 90 mph (145 km/h) when its driver saw the track worker on the line ahead, sounded the train horn and applied the emergency brakes.
Our investigation will identify the sequence of events that led to the accident and will include consideration of:
- the actions of the those involved
- the planning of the work and the implementation of any safe systems of work
- any relevant underlying or organisational factors
Our investigation is independent of any investigation by the railway industry, the British Transport Police or by the industry’s regulator, the Office of Rail and Road.
We will publish our findings, including any recommendations to improve safety, at the conclusion of our investigation. This report will be available on our website.
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