Investigation report No.1/2009 of serious railway accident
Two freight train collision on 20 December 2008 in Ventspils station
Serious railway accident (hereinafter - accident) occurred 20 December 2008 at 9.29 a.m. in the Ventspils station park „station Ventspils-II” (hereinafter - Ventspils-II).
At 9.29 a.m. freight train No.2445 (locomotive 2TE10M-3453 and 59 loaded wagons) entered Ventspils-II railway track No.2 from Elkskenes station side, which at that time was occupied with standing freight train No.1703 (locomotive 2TE10M-3422 and 61 loaded wagons). As a result locomotive of train No.2445 collided with last wagon of train No.1703.
As result of collision the crew (2 people) of locomotive of train No.2445 died, locomotive of train No.2445 and its first two wagons, 8 wagons of train No1703 loaded with fuel and six wagons standing on the way No.3 burst into flames. As result of fire the locomotive of train No.2445 was completely damaged (not repairable), 21 wagons damaged (13 wagons not repairable) and completely destroyed freight (fuel) from three wagons.
After collision the rolling stock of train No.2445 cover around 40m until complete stop place. Last three wagons of train No.1703 were released from rolling stock to the direction of railway track No.1 and five wagons derailed with two wheel pairs. Also locomotive of train No.2445 and four wagons derailed - in movement direction from twentieth to twenty third (two with two wheel pairs and two with all wheel pairs).
Five meters behind exit signal light P2 of railway track No.2 to direction of accident site (48 meters before collision place) traces of sand feed were detected, which testifies about possible sudden use of brakes before the collision or about the work of automatic brakes.
Human remains of machinist were found in the diesel room of lead section „A” of locomotive above compressor KT7, human remains of machinist assistant - outside locomotive on the left side of train movement direction at the fuel tank of section „B”.
In the cabin of train locomotive was guard, which sustained light bruise and left cabin of locomotive on his own.
As result of collision and fire locomotive of train No.2445 was completely damaged, speed measuring tape was burnt, speed measuring instrument melted due to high temperature, control devices of locomotive and control devices of alertness were completely damaged and to detect its condition until the moment of collision is not possible. The scheme of train collision is shown in Picture 1.
Infrastructure manager for the prevention of the consequences of accident involved fire-fighting train of Ventspils station and assistance train of Jelgava station. The quenching of fire was lead by Ventspils brigade of State Fire and rescue service.
Train traffic along railway track No.5 resumed at 23.30 20 December 2008. Prevention of the consequences of accident were completed at 14.10 21 December 2008, but the works for reconstruction of infrastructure were completed at 12.00 24 December 2008.