Newark North Gate rail death: Worker walked into train's path

CCTV showed John Wright, the lookout, walking into the path of the train as it headed to platform three

A track worker died after walking into the path of a train because he assumed it was going to a different platform, according to a report.

An investigation found this is the most likely explanation for the cause of John Wright's death near Newark North Gate station in Nottinghamshire.

Mr Wright, from Doncaster, was hit on 22 January 2014 and died on 31 January.

His employer, Network Rail, said it will consider the findings of the Rail Accident Investigation Branch report.

John Wright was hit by train which had come from London King's Cross

The 49-year-old had worked on the railway for about 30 years, and was in a team of three people inspecting points.

The report said he moved to a nominated "position of safety" after hearing the train's warning horn and should have stayed there until the "controller of site safety" (COSS) gave permission to move.

'Too late'

However, the COSS was not present. Mr Wright moved and was hit as the train headed towards platform three.

Investigators believe he assumed it was going straight ahead, to platform one.

CCTV from the approaching train showed John Wright had previously been in the position of safety

The report said: "Although the train braked and blew a second warning horn, the lookout [Mr Wright] did not turn to face the train until it was too late for him to take evasive action.

"The absence of the COSS was not challenged by either the lookout or the tester, which indicates that a degree of 'over-confidence' had developed in the way the team was operating, probably because they were familiar with each other and the site."

Mr Wright had previously been involved in two safety related incidents, including one in the month before his death.

A colleague made a verbal complaint and told his line manager he needed re-training, but this did not happen.