DMU Accident

Reading, WR - 1/8/90

On a fine, clear and dry day, a 3-car Class 119 DMU (L576) travelling on the Down line from Tonbridge to Reading (2V54) was approaching Reading Station when it ran into two 4-car EMU’s (Nº’s 3508 and 1304) which were standing at platform 4A. Twenty eight people were taken to hospital and a further 12 people received first-aid at the scene of the accident. All but one of those taken to hospital were later discharged the same day. The driver of the DMU sustained serious injuries after being trapped in his cab for over two hours although he recovered sufficiently to attend the inquiry.

After exhaustive testing of the signalling equipment revealed no defects thatmight have led to its incorrect operation, the accident was attributed to the driver failing to observe a signal at Danger and passing it at normal speed before colliding with the stationary train.

HSE (HMRI); b/c; 12pp; f/o location diagram, general arrangement diagram (D.A. Sawer).