THE RUNAWAY WAGON THAT CAME over the hill

AT approximately 21:10 on the evening of May 25 2023, an incident unfolded at the UK's Ministry of Defence's (MOD) Kineton Munitions Depot in Warwickshire. An empty wagon hurtled away from the exchange sidings, defying all attempts to stop it. The rogue wagon embarked on a perilous journey, traversing a distance of over one mile (1.6 km). It careened over two farm crossings and crossed a level crossing on a public road.

Ultimately, the wagon came to a halt just beyond the level crossing. During the incident a gate in the yard bore the brunt of the wagon's destructive trajectory.

To compound the gravity of the situation, it is worth noting that the wagon had been ostensibly secured prior to its escape. The responsibility for its immobilisation was the responsibility of the staff of Kuehne + Nagel, acting under a contractual obligation to the Ministry of Defence.

It is now the responsibility of the Rail Accident Investigations Branch (RAIB) to conduct a thorough investigation, delving into the sequence of events that precipitated this catastrophe. Its scrutiny will extend beyond mere events and delve into the actions of all involved parties, dissecting any external factors that may have played a role in shaping their decisions. Furthermore, the board will examine the efficacy of the measures implemented by Kuehne + Nagel and the Ministry of Defence to mitigate the risks associated with runaway vehicles.

A focal point of investigation will be an evaluation of the design and maintenance of the wagon's braking system.