Investigation launched into train striking debris at Yarnton

A formal investigation has been launched into an incident where a train struck debris in Oxfordshire causing 12 days of disruption.

A side wall of the rail bridge at Yarnton collapsed onto the railway line serving Oxford and Worcester on February 10 at 18.40.

The GWR Paddington evening service struck the rubble and later came to stop.

The train had been travelling at 55mph at the time of the incident and was damaged but did not derail.

The 362 passengers inside the train were asked to leave their carriages and walk along the tracks to another train.

No injuries were reported among passengers and train crew.

Network Rail initially reopened the line on February 12 but closed it again after only a few hours and it remained shut for a further nine days.

The investigation has been launched by the Rail Accident Investigation Branch and will seek to identify the cause of the accident.

The investigators will consider:

The history of the structure and any repair work that had been undertaken.
The findings of inspections undertaken of the structure and the responses to them.
A report of cracking in the road approaching the structure on the adjacent embankment which was made before the failure occurred.
Any underlying management factors.

The findings of the investigation will be published, including any recommendations to improve safety, when it has concluded.

Investigation into train striking debris launched