UK Government investigates after track workers struck by wagon near Port Glasgow railway station

The UK Government opened an investigation on Thursday after two track workers near the Port Glasgow station were struck by a rail wagon last month.

The workers were hit by a wagon that was propelled by a rail-mounted crane near to Port Glasgow station at around 9pm on 15 March.

One track worker was trapped between the wagon and a track panel, and had to be freed by the emergency services. They were subsequently treated in hospital for their injuries.

According to a UK Government press release, two cranes were being used as part of the renewal of a section of track.

One of the cranes set down a track panel while the second propelled the wagon that struck the workers and trapped one of them between the wagon and the panel.

On Thursday, the UK Government announced that it would be opening an investigation into the incident to “identify the sequence of events that led to the incident”.

The investigation will also consider the actions of staff involved, how crane movements were being controlled, the management of the staff involved – including their training and competence – and the planning, coordination, and arrangements in place to manage and control the activities and risks.

“Our investigation is independent of any investigation by the railway industry or by the industry’s regulator, the Office of Rail and Road,” the UK Government statement said.

“We will publish our findings, including any recommendations to improve safety, at the conclusion of our investigation.”

An Office of Rail and Road spokesperson said: “We are investigating the incident at Port Glasgow, working with the British Transport Police and the Rail Accident Investigation Branch to establish what led to the events.”

Innis Keith, health, safety and environment director at Network Rail, said: “We will work closely with the Rail Accident Investigation Branch in their investigation and have already begun our own internal review.

“Minimising risk and enhancing safety is vital for everyone at Scotland’s railway, and our aim is to learn from any incident like this. We continue to support those affected.”