Report on railway accident at Fauske station 30 March 2016 with train 471
Railway report 2016/06
On 30 March 2016 a person was hit by train 471 at Fauske station.
At approximately 16:35 on 30 March 2016, NSB train 471 from Trondheim to Bodø was scheduled to stop and pass local train 1790 at Fauske station. Using a fixed pattern, the train was directed to track 1, across the pedestrian crossing at the southern end, while the local train was to use track 2. This meant that passengers catching the local train from track 2 would have to cross track 1, either before or after the arrival of train 471. One person who was going to catch the local train was approaching the pedestrian crossing as train 471 approached. As the train reached the pedestrian crossing, the person continued walking, and was hit by the train and died. The Accident Investigation Board Norway (AIBN) finds it probable that the person in question was distracted from observing the surroundings as a result of using a smart phone with ear plugs and did not notice the train. A train dispatcher was present on the platform and, according to the instructions, has the authority to intervene when possible in situations that could give rise to an undesirable incident. In the AIBN’s view, this was neither possible in the given situation, nor is it something that passengers should rely on. More stations are likely to be unmanned in the future, and pedestrian crossings must be monitored and secured accordingly. Had train 471 run on track 2 rather than track 1, it would not have had to cross the pedestrian crossing while approaching the station. The AIBN is of the opinion that track allocation at Fauske should be reconsidered, and that this should also be done at other stations where trains pass each other in a similar way and exchange passengers.
The AIBN submits two safety recommendations to Jernbaneverket (the Norwegian National Rail Administration) as a result of this accident. The first concerns track allocation where an approaching train crosses a pedestrian crossing, and the second focuses on requirements for securing pedestrian crossings at stations with regard to the increasing use of ear plugs and smart phones.
Photo: AIBN
Safety recommendation
Safety recommendation JB No 2016/06T
On 30 March 2016, a person was hit by a train and died on the pedestrian crossing between tracks 1 and 2 at Fauske station. Jernbaneverket (the Norwegian National Rail Administration) has chosen an unfortunate track allocation in that long-distance trains are directed to track 1 and therefore have to cross the pedestrian crossing when approaching the station. This means that passengers catching the train from track 2 have to cross track 1, either before or after the arrival of the long-distance train.
The Accident Investigation Board Norway recommends that the Norwegian Railway Authority and Jernbaneverket review and, if possible revise, the track allocation pattern for trains that pass each other and exchange passengers, in places where the approaching train has to cross a pedestrian crossing.
Safety recommendation JB No 2016/07T
On 30 March 2016, a person was hit by a train and died on a pedestrian crossing at Fauske station. The accident occurred on a pedestrian crossing without any mechanical barrier. The person was probably unaware of the approaching train as a result of being distracted by the use of ear plugs and a smart phone.
The Accident Investigation Board Norway recommends that the Norwegian Railway Authority request Jernbaneverket (the Norwegian National Rail Administration) to review and clarify its requirements for securing pedestrian crossings at all stations with regard to the increasing use of ear plugs and smart phones.
Facts
| Location | Fauske station, Nordlandsbanen |
| Occurrence date | 30.03.2016 |
| Train No | 471 |
| Type of Transportation | Passenger train |
| Type of occurrence | Level-crossing accident |
| Rolling Stock | Locomotive |