Spa Road Junction rail crash
The Spa Road Junction Railway Accident happened during the peak evening rush on 8 January 1999 at Spa Road Junction in Bermondsey, southeast London.
On a dark and wet evening, a Connex South Eastern train from Dover Priory to London Charing Cross collided with a Thameslink train from Brighton to Bedford causing derailment to both trains. The accident resulted in no fatalities and only four injuries.
The Thameslink train had been held at a danger (red) signal until the track ahead was clear before the signal for that train was changed to clear (green). The Connex train passed a prelimary caution (double yellow) signal then a caution (yellow) signal and then a danger (red) signal. The Connex train continued for 283 metres (309 yards) past the red signal until the point where the two lines converged.
The Connex train was travelling at an estimated at around 39 mph when it converged with the Thamesline train estimated to be travelling at around 31 mph. This caused both trains to derail and damage to be caused to most of the rolling stock.
Disruption was caused to other rail services, although trains continued to run past the accident site. The emergency services struggled to access the accident scene but eventually 282 people were evacuated from these two trains. 100 people from aother train a short distance behind (a London Bridge to Guildford train) was not well organised resulting in some passengers being left to find their own way to evacuate themselves.
It is thought that the Automatic Warning System (AWS) indicators on both trains were working correctly, although as the shock of a collision can change the appearance of an AWS indicator, this cannot be relied upon.
The driver of the Connex train had previously passed another signal at danger and was already under special supervision because of this. Following the accident, he was permanently removed from driving duties. This particular signal had never been passed at danger (red) before.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) concluded that the accident was caused by the Connex train passing a signal at danger (red). The HSE concluded that this was probably due to human error as no evidence of malfunction was found in any equipment tested.
The investigation of the accident found "deficiencies" in the training and experience of staff in dealing with emergency situations.
The cause of the accident was concluded to be driver error due to poor staff training.
The Thameslink train (now First Capital Connect) was an eight coach train comprising of two Class 319 electric multiple units (EMUs).
The Connex South Eastern train (now Southeastern) was also an eight coach train comprising of a four coach Class 411 EMU and a four coach Class 423 EMU.
Other rail incidents nearby