This article is from page 16 of the 2013-06-25 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 16 JPG
THE driver of a train that collided with a parked tractor on the western rail corridor close to Cratloe in 2012, was unaware that a collision took place and continued on to the next scheduled stop at Sixmilebridge.
That is according to an investigation into the incident released by the Rail Accident Investigation Unit (RAIU) last week.
The report recommended that Iarnród Éireann should either close or move a nearby level crossing where at least two incidents have taken place in recent years.
On June 20, 2012, a passenger train travelling from Limerick to Galway collided with a tractor at the level crossing close to Cratloe.
The driver of the tractor was shocked but unhurt in the incident but his tractor sustained serious frontal damage.
The investigation found that the immediate cause of the accident was that the tractor entered the swept path of the train as the train was travelling through the level crossing.
The tractor driver had been relying on the railway signals to estimate train approaching times.
“Although the tractor driver was not adhering to the LC guidance booklet which states users should not rely on any railway signals, he had assumed it was safe to cross the level crossing; and despite being delayed by the vehicle blocking his exit, the tractor driver then edged forward to look again for oncoming trains.
“The tractor driver did not hear the train horn before edging forward,” the report says.
“Having been unable to close the level crossing due to a lack of agree- ment between the relevant land owners, Iarnród Éireann did not introduce adequate safety measures as a result of the inadequate viewing distances at the level crossing.”
While the collision was reported to an Iarnród Éireann signalman, it took 27 minutes to confirm the incident and alert the emergency services.
The RAIU established from telephone logs that the signalman had been taking a large number of calls and attempting to get Iarnród Éireann staff to the accident rather than contacting the Emergency Services immediately.