Two trains collide near Salisbury - 31 Oct 21

[whole diary]

[bobm]

Reports coming in about an incident involving an SWR^» (South Western Railway - about) and a GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) service in Fisherton Tunnel near Salisbury.  GWR reporting disruption until "the end of the day" due to the emergency services dealing with an incident.

[bobm]

Now saying disruption until the end of tomorrow (Monday).

[bobm]

From Wiltshire Today

A critical incident has been declared after a train derailed in Salisbury.

Emergency services including an air ambulance, police helicopter and the Coastguard were called to the scene near Fisherton Tunnel at around 7. 20pm.

Wiltshire Today understands a passenger train – with passengers on board – struck an object inside the tunnel before leaving the track and partially overturning.

The driver is trapped in the cab, with 999 crews trying to access the casualty. Their injuries are currently unknown.

It is not yet known if any passengers or other train staff have been hurt.

[ellendune]

From Wiltshire Police on Twitter

We are currently at the scene of a train crash involving two trains between Andover and Salisbury.

We are responding with the fire and ambulance service at the site close to Grateley.

Will update as soon as we have more information.

[ellendune]

And now from GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway)

[ChrisB]

GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) just tweeted that the two trains involved were the 1708 Portsmouth Harbour - Bristol & the 1720 SWR^» (South Western Railway - about) service WAT to Honiton.

One news source I saw said that the GWR service has partially derailed with the driver trapped

[bobm]

From the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page)

A number of passengers have been injured in a crash between two trains near Salisbury.

The collision happened near London Road with police, the fire service, paramedics and British Transport Police at the scene.

About 12 people are thought to have been injured and one of the drivers is believed to be trapped in their cab.

Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue declared the crash a "major incident" and 50 firefighters are in attendance.

Other train services in the area, close to Fisherton Tunnel in the city, have been halted.

BBC reporter James Ingham said none of the passengers were believed to have been seriously injured. He added it was believed one train was on its side.

Network Rail said in a statement: "Emergency services are responding to an incident at Fisherton Tunnel near Salisbury Station, involving the 1708 GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) service between Portsmouth Harbour and Bristol Temple Meads and the 1720 SWR^» (South Western Railway - about) services from London Waterloo to Honiton.

"The line is closed as they carry out their work, and we appreciate our customers' patience as we are doing all we can to help as they respond to the incident."

Story continues in link above.

[paul7575]

From Wiltshire Police on Twitter

We are currently at the scene of a train crash involving two trains between Andover and Salisbury.

We are responding with the fire and ambulance service at the site close to Grateley.

Will update as soon as we have more information.

“Close to Grately?”  Some sort of error with initial reports I can only assume. The Twitter link no longer works anyway.

[anthony215]

There are some  photos posted around.i think we are very lucky we are not talking about fatalities in this incident especially when you see the stage of one of the SWR^» (South Western Railway - about) units. 158763 going to be put of action for a while too.

I'm not going to post the photos as I don't think.its respectful

[jamestheredengine]

Now saying disruption until the end of tomorrow (Monday).

And still no "Passengers between Southampton/Portsmouth and Cardiff/Bristol with tickets routed via Salisbury should travel via Reading".

[Celestial]

158763 going to be put of action for a while too.

I'm not going to post the photos as I don't think.its respectful

I don't think it's particularly relevant to talk about how long one of the units is going to be out of action in an incident that had the potential to be life changing for those involved (although at this moment it thankfully appears as though passenger injuries may be minor  - not yet clear on the driver who needed to be cut free, and my thoughts are with him at this time).   

[grahame]

From the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page)

A major incident has been declared after two trains collided in Salisbury, leaving several people injured.

The collision happened near London Road and involved a South Western Railway and a Great Western service.

About 12 people are thought to have been injured and one of the drivers is believed to be trapped in their cab.

The crash happened at 18:46 GMT when one train hit an object in a tunnel, and the second train then collided with it due to signalling problems.

I understand that the driver has now been cut free (was a while ago but it takes time for news to flow)

BBC reporter James Ingham said none of the passengers were believed to have been seriously injured.

A Network Rail spokesperson said: "At around 19:00 GMT this evening, the rear carriage of the 17:08 Great Western Railway service from Portsmouth Harbour to Bristol Temple Meads derailed after striking an object on its approach to Salisbury station.

"The derailment knocked out all of the signalling in the area.

"Subsequently, the 17:20 South Western Railway service from London Waterloo to Honiton then collided with the Bristol train.

"There are reports of injuries and the emergency services are on site along with railway first responders."

[broadgage]

What I find shocking is not the FIRST collision, between the first train and and an "obstruction". That sort of accident can never be entirely prevented.

A second train then collided with the first one. I would expect that the signaling system  would prevent that. The signaling system would "know" the location of the first train and keep the following train a safe distance away. I appreciate that the initial collision reportedly put the signals "out of order" But signals should fail safe. If the relevant signal was out, that should still be treated as being a signal at danger.

Or was the second train moving on the other line ? That could explain the second collision if the first train was foul of the line.

It has been suggested in some reports that a landslip or similar caused the obstruction.

[bobm]

The RAIB^▸ (Rail Accident Investigation Branch) are on site and I suspect the signalling system will be one of the things they will be investigating as a priority.

[JayMac]

Having seen various pictures from the scene it is remarkable that there weren't more serious injuries or deaths.

The incident has rather affected my plans for today. I had planned to visit the Isle of Wight to ride the 'new'  Class 484 stock and see the station improvements.

Just debating with myself whether Templecombe - Exeter - Reading - Basingstoke - Portsmouth is a reasonable route as allowed by SWR^» (South Western Railway - about)'s ticket easements today. There's no news yet on rail replacement bus services in the Salisbury area. Yeovil - Dorchester - Southampton - Portsmouth already has rail replacement for engineering works in the Brockenhurst area. Also my last experience of a rail replacement bus was Finn being denied travel.

EDIT. SWR Twitter just confirmed I can travel via Exeter and Reading. Long way round but avoids buses.