A near miss involving three track workers and a passenger train at the Bookham Tunnel is to be investigated by the government.

The incident happened just before midday on the 29th of April and involved a train operated by South Western Railway.

Two track workers entered refuges built into the tunnel walls after they head the train approaching while the third leant against the wall as it passed.

The trio had been walking back to Bookham station after completing work on tunnel telephones.

A line blockage had been arranged by the team with the signaller before the incident occurred.

This was intended to stop trains from running through the tunnel.

It was later discovered that this line blockage had been arranged for the nearby Mickleham Tunnel, and that it did not cover Bookham Tunnel.

The government’s investigation is independent from any undertaken by the railway industry.

It will aim to identify the sequence of events which led to the incident, the actions of those involved and any underlying management factors.

Photo credit: Network Rail.