On this day 5 October 1999 - a somber day on the Western

[whole diary]

[Electric train]

This was the day at about 08:09 BST the 08:06 BST departur from Paddington, a 3 car Thames Trains Class 165 Turbo service to Bedwyn, as it was entering the Up Line at Ladbroke Grove collided nearly head-on and at a combined speed of approx. 130 mph (210 km/h) with the 06:03 First Great Western train from Cheltenham to Paddington.

The 06:03 was an InterCity 125 high speed train (HST^▸ (High Speed Train)), driven by 52-year-old Brian Cooper. It consisted of a rake of eight Mark 3 coaches with a Class 43 diesel power car at each end. The chassis and body of the Intercity is notably stronger than the structure of the Class 165 DMU^▸ (Diesel Multiple Unit), the leading car of which was totally destroyed. The diesel fuel it was carrying was dispersed by the collision and ignited, leading to a series of fires in the wreckage, particularly in coach H near the front of the HST which was completely burnt out.

The drivers of both trains were killed, as well as 29 others (24 on the DMU, six on the HST as a result of the impact, with a further fatality as a result of the fire), and 417 people were injured.

[grahame]

Thank you for bringing us the memory of that dreadful day.

I have added a copy of the main reports to our mirror, where members can read further.

Lord Cullen's report
http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/HSE_Lad_Cullen001.pdf

Part 1 of the Inquiry is concerned with the investigation of the causes of the crash and the circumstances in which it occurred, lessons which should be drawn from what happened, and recommendations for the improvement of safety in the future.

http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/HSE_Lad_Cullen002.pdf

This report relates to Part 2 of the Inquiry which was concerned, in regard to the railways, with the management of safety and the regulatory regime.

And additionally

Lord Cullen’s inquiry report on the Ladbroke Grove rail accident in 1999 recommended the creation of an organisation to independently investigate railway accidents to improve safety. RAIB^▸ (Rail Accident Investigation Branch) became operational in October 2005 as the independent body for investigating accidents and incidents on mainline railways, metros, tramways and heritage railways throughout the UK^▸ (United Kingdom).

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/rail-accident-investigation-branch/about

[Oxonhutch]

My service on the Heathrow Express left about 15 minutes earlier that day than the 0806 Bedwyn train. I probably passed the doomed HST^▸ (High Speed Train) en route to Hayes and Harlington. I only found out about the tragedy in Chicago when my checked-in luggage didn't turn up. It was on the HEX that was scheduled to depart some 15 minutes later. Etched in my memory.

[JayMac]

A date also etched in my memory.

I remember listening to the radio reports as I headed to Dartmoor on a minibus, off for a week away with the Princes' Trust Volunteers. Then reading the newspaper reports the following morning.