21 Feb 2022
RAIB Interim report: Collision between passenger trains at Salisbury Tunnel Junction, 31 October 2021
The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) has published its interim report into the collision between two passenger trains at Salisbury Tunnel Junction on 31 October 2021.
At around 18:43 hrs on 31 October 2021, train reporting number 1L53, the 17:20 hrs South Western Railway passenger service from London Waterloo to Honiton, collided with the side of train 1F30, the 17:08 hrs Great Western Railway passenger service from Portsmouth Harbour to Bristol Temple Meads. The collision took place at Salisbury Tunnel Junction, which is on the immediate approach to Fisherton tunnel, near Salisbury in Wiltshire.
Thirteen passengers and one member of railway staff required treatment in hospital as a result of the accident, which also caused significant damage to the trains and railway infrastructure involved.
RAIB’s interim report sets out more information about the accident, including the chain of events leading up to the collision and what happened immediately afterwards. It summarises the investigative work undertaken to date and explains RAIB’s initial findings about the condition of the railhead on the day of the accident and how low adhesion was being managed. It also sets out RAIB’s future actions in this investigation.
A final report will be published by RAIB on completion of its investigation. The interim report can be downloaded below and is published on the RAIB website at 10am.
Contact Information
Anna Withrington
Head of External Communications Air, Marine and Rail Accident Investigation Branches
Accident Investigation Branches (AIBs)
01932 440015
Anna.Withrington@dft.gov.uk
Notes to editors
- Images must be credited to RAIB unless otherwise stated.
- The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) is responsible for conducting independent investigations into railway accidents in the UK. The purpose of its investigations is to improve safety, by establishing the causes of accidents and making recommendations, to reduce the likelihood of similar occurrences in the future or to mitigate their consequences. RAIB is not a prosecuting body; its investigations are focused solely on safety improvement and do not apportion blame or liability.
- RAIB’s investigation is running independently of the investigation being undertaken by the railway industry’s regulator, the Office of Rail and Road (ORR). However, all investigating agencies, and the rail industry, are co-operating fully with each other.
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