Probe into train buffer crash at Lime Street

Oct 30 2007

A TRAIN crashed into buffers at Lime Street station last night.

The driver was given a routine breath test which proved negative.

No passengers were involved in the incident, on platform two at 9.20pm, when the driver was trying to move two empty rolling-stock units away for the night.

After questioning him British Transport Police officials confirmed they would being taking no further action and said the matter had now been referred to Network Rail.

A spokeswoman for Network Rail said: “We had two empty units on the platform which weren’t joined up but needed to be.

“So the driver joined them up, and, as is standard practice, tested them to see if they were properly connected before driving off. But while he was seeing if they were secure he managed to touch the buffer zone.

“There were no passengers involved and our buffers are designed to crumple if hit with any force and as this one didn’t it shows it was only a slight touch.”

She added it was “standard procedure” to call in transport police officials whenever a buffer was hit and drivers were breathalysed as a matter of course.

The spokeswoman also stressed the station and platform remained open as normal and there was no disruption for passengers.

A British Transport police spokeswoman confirmed: “We were called following reports a train hit the buffers and we conducted a test to see if the driver had been drinking. But it proved negative and the matter was passed on to the rail authorities.”