Train Driver Fatally Struck After Leaving Cab in West Worthing
Tragedy struck around 8:33 pm on Tuesday 1 February 2022 when a passenger train, travelling at about 33 mph, hit a train driver who had left the cab of a stationary train in West Worthing Middle Siding. The driver’s injuries were immediately fatal. It was dark at the time, and the moving train’s crew didn’t realise they’d hit anyone.
Delayed Departure Raises Alarm
The stationary train failed to depart on schedule, prompting the signaller to try contacting the driver—with no response. The signaller then ordered a third train on an adjacent line to stop alongside the stationary train to check on the driver. That third train’s driver soon found the injured man.
Why Did the Driver Leave His Cab?
RAIB’s investigation revealed the driver exited his cab without telling the train’s guard or the signaller. He also didn’t ask for trains on nearby lines to be stopped. It’s unclear why he left, but RAIB believes it was not work-related or accidental. The most likely explanation is a personal reason—such as to smoke or urinate—assuming it was safe to be outside the train.
Tragically, the driver entered the path of the oncoming train. This may have been due to a loss of balance, a fall from the cab steps, or slipping on an old wooden board left on the track for years.
Safety Recommendations and Lessons Learned
- To Govia Thameslink Railway: Ensure on-train staff have sufficient access to toilets across all routes.
- To the Department for Transport and Rail Safety and Standards Board: Review standards to make forward-facing CCTV mandatory on new trains.
- To Rail Safety and Standards Board with Train Operators: Consider fitting forward-facing CCTV on existing trains.
Additionally, RAIB highlighted four key learning points:
- Train crews must arrange proper protection before leaving their cabs.
- Wearing appropriate personal protective equipment is crucial.
- Infrastructure managers should promptly remove tripping hazards.
- Employers must ensure staff use the correct protective gear.
Read the full RAIB report here: West Worthing Train Fatality Report
