Interim Report On Kaduna-Abuja Train Accident, By Kayode Opeifa
KA-2 service departed at right time- 07.15 a.m. from Rigassa station. The train arrived Jere 1 minute ahead of schedule at 08.52 a.m. and departed Jere at 08.59 (6 minutes behind scheduled departure due to coupling of loco 2809 to the rake to create more resilience).
At about 9.16 a.m. on approach to Asham station at KM 50-51, a loud bang was heard as the power car and trailing locomotive collided with one of the coaches. Preliminary report suggests an issue with one or more couplers. None of the trains derailed. The reason for the possible decoupling is yet to be ascertained.
Two vehicles and the trailing locomotive involved in the incident were subsequently detached: Loco 2809, power car BVA0002 and passenger coach SP0006.
The train left site at 09.42 a.m. and arrived in Kubwa at 10.10 a.m. and destination in Idu at 10.39 a.m. The train experienced a total of 38 minutes delay (time used to detach the accidented stocks from the full rake).
TRAIN OCCUPANTS
A total of 481 people were onboard. Breakdown is as follows:
• Passengers: 459 passengers booked to travel and 429 actually boarded (itinery retrieved from the ticketing platform).
• Train Crew: 10 train crew including O&C and Mechanical/Electrical
• Security: 26 security personnel including Man O War.
• Vendors: 6 food vendors
• Cleaners: 8 Cleaners
• Third party operators: 2 (Nurse and TPS operative)
POST INCIDENT ACTION
A total of 26 people with varying degrees of injuries were recorded among the passengers, medical crew, cleaners passengers and security personnel attached to the service.
SERVICE RECOVERY
The Abuja-Kaduna train service recovered and commenced the AK1 service from Idu to Rigasa at 2.48 p.m. against a booked time of 11.00 a.m. Arrived Rigasa, Kaduna by 17.33 pm with the Managing Director and some officials of the Nigerian Railway Corporation on board.
The KA 4 thereafter departed Rigasa with the Managing Director still on board at 18.12 pm, arrived Kubwa at 20.31pm and Idu station, Abuja at 20.58pm.
Kayode Opeifa
Managing Director
Nigerian Railway Corporation
