Several passengers experienced injuries when a speeding train unexpectedly lurched as it passed through Lincolnshire, according to a report from Lincolnshire Live. The incident occurred on September 26, 2025, involving the 7.08am LNER service from Middlesbrough to London Kings' Cross. This train was travelling at 56mph, significantly above the 25mph speed limit, when it approached Grantham station shortly after 9am.
Witnesses reported minor injuries, primarily from passengers falling over or being struck by items that fell from overhead racks. The independent report released on May 6, 2026, by the Rail Accident Investigation Branch, provided detailed insights into the circumstances surrounding this alarming event.
On the day of the incident, the train was initially scheduled to run on the Up Fast line but was signalled onto the Up Slow line to allow another service to pass. As the driver approached the junction, they were travelling at around 24mph. Initially, the driver maintained a speed below 30mph but then increased power as the train neared the junction. This decision proved problematic when the train was diverted onto the Up Slow line, causing it to lurch and throwing some standing passengers to the floor.
The report indicated that the driver had not correctly handled the train for the diverging route after passing signal D22. Instead of slowing down appropriately for the slower line, the driver accelerated as if the train was on the straight-ahead route, which has a maximum speed of 115mph. This misjudgment led to the sudden lurch that caused injuries.
While the driver did initially shut off the traction power, they reapplied it after four seconds and continued the journey to London without reporting the incident to LNER. It wasn't until a train manager became aware of a passenger injury caused by a falling suitcase that the incident was reported to LNER. Despite inquiries from LNER control staff, they received limited information about the seriousness of the situation until a review of internal CCTV in November revealed the full extent of the incident.
The findings from the Rail Accident Investigation Branch underscore the importance of safety protocols and the need for thorough communication in the aftermath of such incidents. As the community reflects on this report, there are growing concerns about the safety measures in place for train services in the area.
As residents of Lincolnshire, it's crucial to consider how such incidents can be prevented in the future and what steps can be taken to ensure passenger safety on our railways.