"We are treating the runaway tram incident very seriously, transport bosses have insisted."
“A
health and safety at work accident investigation is continuing into
Friday’s incident on the Snaefell Mountain Railway in which a tram
suffered what could have been catastrophic brake failure.
The
line was still operating today but with a reduced timetable.
As
reported in this week’s Examiner, passengers who were on board the
vintage tram have spoken of their terrifying experience as it hurtled
out of control down the mountain and crossed the road at the Bungalow
- which was fortunataly clear of traffic - before finally coming to a
halt.
Passengers
told how the driver, conductor and a passenger wrestled to apply the
manual fell brake when the main electric brake failed due to a loss
of power.
In
a statement, the Department of Infrastructure said: ’Management and
staff are currently working with the Health and Safety at Work
Inspectorate.
’The
matter is being treated very seriously and the department would like
to apologise to those passengers who were affected by the incident.
’The
department also wishes to acknowledge the prompt action of those who
applied the original fell braking system.’
It
added: ’The department is fully co-operating with the investigation
and is committed to ensuring the safety of passengers and crews
travelling on the Snaefell Mountain Railway.
’It would not be appropriate to release any further information about the incident while enquiries are ongoing.’
Passengers
who were on board the tram can contact Bernard Warden at the Health
and Safety at Work Inspectorate at [email protected]”
The full article and posted comments can be viewed on Isle of Man Newspapers' website.
http://www.iomtoday.co.im/article.cfm?id=35284&headline=We%20are%20taking%20this%20very%20seriously§ionIs=NEWS&searchyear=2017
Manx Radio also makes mention of the Health and Safety investigation.