Network Rail have been fined £800,000 after a worker was struck by a train at 80mph. The fine was handed down by the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) after an extensive investigation.
The man was hit in June 2014, by a Brighton to London express train, as he was leading a team of 12 to repair cracks in the track.
He was hit on the right shoulder and thrown down an embankment.
Guildford Crown Court heard how at the time the accident occurred, the work had been in progress for about 40 minutes.
The other members of the team had completed their work, and the team leader was engaged in taking measurements for the lengths of replacement rail that would be required at the site.
The lookouts had warned the team of the approach of a southbound train, and a short time after this had passed, and before the Controller of Site Safety (COSS) had given permission for anyone to return to the track, the lookouts gave another warning, for a northbound train.
At about the time this warning was given, the team leader began to walk along the side of the line, with his back to the approaching northbound train. As he walked, he moved closer to the Up Quarry line, and the train struck him on his right shoulder and threw him down the side of the embankment.
Other members of the team gave him first-aid treatment and called the emergency services, and an air ambulance helicopter landed on the railway. The casualty was airlifted to hospital, but he had suffered life-changing injuries.
The ORR found the maintenance works were inadequately planned and managed placing track workers in unnecessary danger.
