Buffer stop collision at Kirkby station

At around 18:53 hrs on 13 March 2021, the 18:35 hrs service from Liverpool Central to Kirkby struck the buffers located at the end of the Merseyrail Northern line platform at Kirkby station. The train approached the station at around 42 mph (68 km/h), before an emergency brake application was made, slowing the train before it hit the buffers. The train then derailed and collided with a platform extension which links the Northern line platform to the adjoining Kirkby branch line platform. The derailed train came a stop under a bridge and clear of the branch line, which was not occupied by a train at the time.

Twelve people reported suffering minor injuries as a result of the accident, and significant damage was caused to the train and to railway infrastructure.

Our investigation will seek to identify the sequence of events which led to the accident. It will also consider:

the performance of the train and the infrastructure

any factors that may have influenced the train driver’s actions

the training, supervision and management of Merseyrail drivers

the processes used to assess and control the risk of terminal platform overruns

any relevant underlying factors

Our investigation is independent of any investigation by the railway industry, the British Transport Police or by the industry’s regulator, the Office of Rail and Road.

We will publish our findings, including any recommendations to improve safety, at the conclusion of our investigation. This report will be available on our website.

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