Report on accident involving persons at Filipstad train formation yard, Sunday 24 Februar 2019
Railway report 2020/02
At 16.30 on Sunday 24 February 2019, one person died after coming into contact with the overhead contact line system inside Filipstad train formation yard. Two other persons present were also exposed to electricity and were critically injured in the accident. The Accident Investigation Board Norway (AIBN) proposes two safety recommendations based on this investigation. They concern reviewing and ensuring correct securing and signposting of train formation yards, and conducting assessments of the risk of third-party climbing for different types of rolling stock with regard to parking and the need for inspection.
Three adolescents had made their way into the track area and into a culvert in the area called ‘Strupen’, where two train sets were parked. The adolescents climbed onto the roof of one of the train sets, and moved in a way that caused one of them to come into contact with the overhead contact line.
The investigation of how the area was secured that was conducted after the accident showed that there was a section of fence near Ruseløkka, measuring approximately 30 metres, that was not in accordance with Bane NOR SF’s technical regulations. There was a hole in the fence near the wall of Munkedamsbroen bridge, and the existing fence was 106 cm at its lowest point. The required height is 180 cm. There were no ‘Adgang forbudt’ (‘No trespassing’) signs in the area from Strupen along Ruseløkka youth club. The investigation showed that the parked train sets and the culvert had been left unattended for a long period, and had been frequented by unauthorised persons.
Photo: AIBN
Safety recommendation
Safety recommendation JB no 2020/02T
On Sunday 24 February 2019, one young person died and two were seriously injured when they climbed onto a parked train set at Filipstad train formation yard. The risk of third-party climbing was deemed to be low for this type of rolling stock, and it was therefore not covered by Bane NOR’s requirement for regular inspection.
The Accident Investigation Board Norway recommends that the Norwegian Railway Authority requests Bane NOR SF together with the owners of rolling stock to conduct assessments of the risk of third-party climbing for different types of rolling stock with regard to parking and the need for inspection.
Safety recommendation JB no 2020/03T
On Sunday 24 February 2019, a young person died after suffering an electric shock at Filipstad train formation yard. Two other adolescents were seriously injured in the accident. Parts of the fencing in the area did not satisfy Bane NOR’s internal requirements. In addition, there were no ‘Adgang forbudt’ (‘No trespassing’) signs on this part of the fence.
The Accident Investigation Board Norway recommends that the Norwegian Railway Authority requests Bane NOR SF to review and ensure correct securing and signposting of all train formation yards.
Facts
| Location | Filipstad |
| Occurrence date | 24.02.2019 |
| Type of occurrence | Trespass |
| Rolling Stock | Multippel Unit (MU) |
| Operator | Bane NOR SF |