An investigation is underway into the derailment of a KiwiRail locomotive travelling from the Ports of Auckland to Westfield with three crew members onboard.
The locomotive derailed around 1:30am on Wednesday and rolled onto its side at the Tamaki rail siding on the North Island Main trunk line. Two of the three crew suffered minor injuries.
Transport Accident Investigation CommissionThe Transport Accident Investigation Commission has opened an inquiry into the derailment. It says it will focus on the circumstances and causes of the accident with a view to avoiding similar occurrences in the future, rather than to ascribe blame.
The Commission has appointed a team of two investigators. Their initial work will be to record information about the accident scene and start gathering other records such as photos, videos, and location data.
“We will examine the locomotive, along with data about it and its history, performance, maintenance, design,” acting chief investigator of accidents Naveen Kozhuppakalam says.
“The operating environment is always of interest, including rail layout, weather, operating company safety system and organisational culture, and regulatory matters.”
Rail and Maritime Transport Union general secretary Wayne Butson confirmed the three staff members were union members.
The crew included a locomotive engineer, a rail operator and a trainee rail operator.
Butson says they were fortunate to escape serious injuries after a derailment.
He says it was a relief that there had been no serious injuries and the union would support the affected workers and their colleagues.
He says the union would assist with the investigation in any way possible.
The accident “is a reminder of the dangers faced by rail workers every day and the need for an ongoing focus on health and safety in the workplace”, Butson adds.
