Train derailed by cow-crash allowed to run despite warning

A train derailed when it crashed into 8 cows on the track - despite earlier warnings, according to the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB).

The incident near Ashford, Kent, occurred after an "insufficient" response tothe original sighting.

There were 67 passengers and three members of staff on the Southeastern train from London Charing Cross to Ramsgate. It was travelling at 69mph when it hit eight cows in the village of Godmersham at around 9.40pm on July 26 last year.

No injuries were reported among passengers or crew.

The RAIB said a train driver reported seeing a cow near the area at around8.40pm. The signaller instructed the next train to proceed with caution and to attempt to pinpoint the animal's location.

After that driver reported that he did not see any cows, the signaller "took this as his assurance that the line was clear" and did not warn any further trains, according to the RAIB.

The investigation noted that the signaller was "mindful of delaying trains"and had received a number of similar reports in the past which had turned out to be false alarms.

The report also described how the train's radio stopped working during the accident, forcing the driver to run for around three-quarters of a mile to an oncoming train - which had already been stopped by the signaller - to use its radio to report what had happened.

The RAIB has made a series of recommendations to National Rail and Southeastern to prevent a similar incident in the future.