Investigation after near miss on Bluebell Railway

The incident happened when two locomotives tried to couple together

An investigation has been launched after a train nearly hit a person on a heritage railway line which runs between Sheffield Park and East Grinstead.

The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) said that on 9 August a steam locomotive moved unexpectedly while it was being coupled to a second steam locomotive on platform 1 at Sheffield Park station, on the Bluebell Railway.

This caused both locomotives to travel together for approximately 4m (13.1ft), at slow speed.

At the time the movement took place, a volunteer member of staff, who was undertaking the role of shunter, was on the track between the two locomotives, coupling them together, the RAIB said.

The near miss happened at Sheffield Park station, the Rail Accident Investigation Branch said

The unexpected movement forced the shunter to walk along the track between the two moving locomotives to avoid being struck.

The RAIB said when the movement stopped the member of staff was able to climb back onto the platform.

The shunter was not injured but was shaken by the incident, said the RAIB.

No damage was caused to either locomotive or to the infrastructure of the railway.

The RAIB said its investigation would determine the sequence of events that led to the near miss, including the actions of those involved, the management of staff, the training involved and any underlying factors.

A full report will be published in due course, the RAIB added.