Executive summary
Revised investigation 94-117: On Saturday 2 July 1994 at approximately 1025 hours, a child fell from the gangway between a carriage and the end platform of the power van on New Zealand Rail Limited's "Coastal Pacific" express near Hundalee when a handrail dislodged. The child was seriously injured. The safety issues identified in this investigation were the maintenance and inspection procedures for the safety barriers on passenger trains, the adequacy of the handrail bracket detail once the bracket had been repaired, and passenger management policies concerning movement of passengers on trains.
Related Recommendations
For safety barriers in train gangways, ensure, if not already done, that: they can not be disconnected unintentionally or as a result of tampering and, the spacing and layout and strength of the barriers complies with or exceeds the standards specified in New Zealand Standard NZS/AS 1657-92 "Fixed platforms, walkways, stairways, and ladders - Design, construction, and installation". [This safety recommendation replaced safety recommendation 059/94 from the original investigation]