Investigation Reveals Delayed Warning Contributed to Train Collision with Fallen Tree

An investigation has determined that a train collided with a fallen tree at 84mph (135 kmh) in Broughty Ferry due to a warning call failing to reach the driver promptly. The train’s driver avoided serious injury by activating the emergency brakes and taking cover behind the driving seat just moments before the collision. The report further stated that Dundee City Council inadequately managed the hazard of trees falling from its property onto neighboring railway lines. This event occurred at 13:09 on 27 December last year, resulting in substantial damage to the driving cab. No physical injuries were sustained by the 37 passengers and three staff members aboard the high-speed train (HST), which was en route from Perth to Aberdeen. According to the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) report, the train struck the fallen tree approximately one mile (1.6km) from Broughty Ferry. The tree originated from Barnhill Rock Gardens, a public park under the ownership of Dundee City Council, and was felled by winds during Storm Gerrit. The report stated that the tree’s soil restricted its capacity to withstand the intense wind it experienced. It also mentioned that three adjacent trees had been cut down seven months prior, heightening the tree’s exposure to winds originating from the Firth of Tay. Approximately 12 minutes before the impact, a member of the public observed the tree lying across the railway tracks and notified Network Rail via the public helpline. The report observed: “The helpline call handler attempted to pass this information on to Network Rail’s Scotland route control on a number of occasions, but the call was not answered until after the incident.” Consequently, a warning regarding the fallen tree failed to reach the train’s driver in sufficient time to avert the accident. It further stated that the inadequately managed risk of trees in Barnhill Rock Gardens falling onto the railway constituted “the factor underlying the accident.” The report indicated: “Network Rail is reliant on neighbouring landowners controlling the risk associated with visually healthy trees falling onto the railway lines from outside of the railway boundary.” Nevertheless, Dundee City Council did not effectively oversee the hazard of trees falling from its property onto the adjacent railway lines. The report highlighted that following the accident, Network Rail has equipped helpline personnel with an extra contact number for emergency situations. It recommended that the council re-evaluate its management of the trees under its responsibility to “ensure that it is effectively controlling the risk of them falling onto the railway.” Furthermore, the report stated that the Carmont steering group, established after the deadly 2020 passenger train derailment in Aberdeenshire, ought to review its actions concerning a recommendation to assess the increased risk to train occupants linked to the ongoing use of HSTs. A spokesperson for Dundee City Council commented: “The city council has received the report, and officers are looking in detail at the recommendations that have been made by the Rail Accident Investigation Branch.” “We continue to work with Network Rail to ensure effective control of the risk of trees falling onto the railway.”