Scott Rayner
20 Dec 2017 · Coroner Edward Solomons · Hertfordshire
This report repeats 3 earlier warnings, and was raised again 3 times later. See the linked reports.
The coroner's concerns
1. inadequate fencing allowing trespass onto high speed railway
“fencing beside the railway track was inadequate especially at the rear of a scrap metal dealer located off St Albans Road and Bedford Street”
2. train striking a person on the track
“driver of the 19:19 train from Oxonholme to London Euston saw [the deceased] standing in the middle of the track at Watford Junction Station”
3. fatal injury resulting in death
“Paramedics confirmed death at the scene”
Linked reports
Closely relatedConfidence 0.90 · high
Earlier report
“The British Transport investigation revealed that the deceased gained | access to the railway line through an access gate at Lower Farm Road, Bromham, Bedfordshire. The gate is of wooden construction and | provides little deterrence or hindrance to someone wanting to gain access to the railway”
This report
“British Transport Police investigating revealed that fencing beside the railway track was inadequate especially at the rear of a scrap metal dealer located off St Albans Road and Bedford Street, ieading toa risk that adults and children may trespass on the line where the speed limit is 100mph.”
Closely relatedConfidence 0.90 · high
Earlier report
“The British Transport investigation revealed that the deceased gained | access to the railway line through an access gate. Both the gate and | fence provide little deterrence or hindrance to someone wanting to gain | access to the railway”
This report
“British Transport Police investigating revealed that fencing beside the railway track was inadequate especially at the rear of a scrap metal dealer located off St Albans Road and Bedford Street, ieading toa risk that adults and children may trespass on the line where the speed limit is 100mph.”
Closely relatedConfidence 0.90 · high
Earlier report
“Photographs of the location where the death occurred, provided by British Transport Police show that various sections of fencing and walls separating the public footpath from the railway line were broken, missing or in disrepair.”
This report
“fencing beside the railway track was inadequate especially at the rear of a scrap metal dealer located off St Albans Road and Bedford Street”
Identical hazardConfidence 0.95 · high
This report
“fencing beside the railway track was inadequate especially at the rear of a scrap metal dealer located off St Albans Road and Bedford Street”
Later report
“Only post and wire fencing at the rallway boundary In this area. The areas on both sides off the tckneild Way, particularly to the west of the railway, are used by dog walkers and others”
Closely relatedConfidence 0.90 · high
This report
“fencing beside the railway track was inadequate especially at the rear of a scrap metal dealer located off St Albans Road and Bedford Street”
Later report
“The fencing at the scene of Mr [name redacted] death was a low wooden fence which was easy to climb over.”
Closely relatedConfidence 0.90 · high
This report
“fencing beside the railway track was inadequate especially at the rear of a scrap metal dealer located off St Albans Road and Bedford Street”
Later report
“evidence to suggest that access to the railway tracks by members of the public may be a frequent issue in this vicinity”
Responses
2017-0345-Response-by-Network-Rail.pdf ↗· Network Rail
Stated action · 17 May 2017
“in line with this recommendation, an inspection was undertaken by Network Rail's local operations team on 17 May 2017 to establish ownership and condition of the boundary fencing”