UMVA has learned that a harrowing near-miss incident involving a train and railway workers occurred in a Surrey tunnel, leaving the workers with mere seconds to jump out of the way.
The South Western Railway train was slowing down for Bookham station, traveling from London Waterloo to Guildford, when the driver spotted the track workers shortly before 11am. The driver sounded the warning horn, and the workers saw the approaching train, but they had only moments to react.
Witness evidence revealed that due to the track curvature and the train approaching from behind, the workers had only seconds to react when they became aware of the danger. Two workers managed to move into a refuge alcove, while a third person squeezed against the tunnel wall as the train whizzed by.
An investigation found that the tunnel's design, with insufficient space between the wall and the nearest rail, made it difficult for the workers to find a safe position. One worker standing against the wall was just 39 inches from the side of the train.
The three experienced railway workers, with a combined 90 years of experience, reported the incident after exiting the tunnel. The investigation revealed that the confusion arose from incorrect line information in the safety details for the job, which had been introduced during the planning stage and went unnoticed despite multiple checks.
UMVA can exclusively reveal that the watchdog's investigation highlighted the critical importance of accurate understanding of which lines are blocked, the timing of the block, and where safe working boundaries lie. The incident served as a warning, echoing concerns that a pattern of near misses can eventually end in tragedy.
The chief inspector of rail accidents emphasized that recent events show how urgent and important it is to continue working to reduce this risk further. A similar incident in Hertfordshire earlier this year resulted in a fatality, underscoring the need for vigilance and improved safety measures.
