Camden New Journal - by DAN CARRIER Published: 20 March 2008
Tube driver got into wrong end of his train
A TUBE train was just 20 metres away from a head-on collision after a driver got in the wrong end of the train, accident investigators have found. A report concluded that the incident, which took place at Camden Town station in June last year, happened after a Northern line train that was travelling to Edgware mistakenly moved on to the High Barnet branch because of repair work.
To correct the error, the train behind was rerouted on to the Edgware platform and the driver and passengers told to swap over.
But the driver stepped into the wrong end of the train and pulled out.
The driver only realised the error as another train hurtled towards him – they stopped moments before crashing.
Investigators believe the driver who got into the wrong cab failed to run through standard safety procedures.
The report added that new training has been introduced as a result, and Camden Town station – which marries the Charing Cross, Bank, High Barnet and Edgware branches together – is to have new warning signs added to tunnels.