Rail Accident Investigation Branch
At around 21:10 hrs on 25 May 2023, an empty wagon ran away from the exchange sidings at the Ministry of Defences Kineton Munitions Depot in Warwickshire. The wagon ran away for over one mile (1.6 km). In doing so, it passed over two farm crossings and a level crossing on a public road.
The wagon came to a stand a short distance beyond the level crossing. Nobody was injured during the incident, although damage was caused to a gate in the yard.
The wagon had been secured before it ran away using its parking brake by staff working for Kuehne + Nagel, working under contract for the Ministry of Defence.
Our investigation will seek to identify the sequence of events that led to the incident. It will also consider:
- the actions of those involved and anything which may have influenced them
- the arrangements put in place by Kuehne + Nagel and the Ministry of Defence to control the risks of a vehicle running away
- the design and maintenance of the braking system on the wagon
- any underlying management factors
Our investigation is independent of any investigation by the railway industry, the Ministry of Defence or the rail industrys 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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