RO-1995-110

On Thursday, 18 May 1995 at about 0710 hours a remote controlled locomotive operated by New Zealand Rail Limited (NZRL) was returning light from Kings Wharf to Wellington Yard when it struck a front end loader foul of the line. As a result of the impact the Remote Control Operator riding on the front of the locomotive was thrown to the ground and picked up and dragged by the cowcatcher of the locomotive. The causal factor was the uncontrolled operation of the front end loader obstructing a main shunting leg serving Wellington Wharf. The safety deficiencies addressed in this report are the operational constraints necessary to ensure controlled integrated operation within Port of Wellington property, and the adequacy of operational agreements for similar rail served complexes.