Safety Investigation After Lorry Crashes Onto Railway Near York Street

A formal investigation has been launched following a serious incident near York Street Station where a lorry crashed through motorway barriers and onto the railway line. The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) is now examining the events of March 20, which saw a heavy goods vehicle (HGV) narrowly miss an oncoming passenger train.

The incident occurred around 4:40 pm when the HGV, travelling northbound on the M2, was involved in a collision with another vehicle. The impact caused the lorry to break through the containment fencing that separates the motorway from the Belfast to Derry railway line. The vehicle eventually came to a stop in the area immediately adjacent to the tracks where trains frequently pass.

Shortly after the crash, the 3:51 pm service from Larne Town to Belfast approached the scene. Fortunately, the train driver spotted the obstruction ahead and managed to apply the brakes, passing the lorry at a reduced speed of approximately 16 mph. While the train did not strike the vehicle, the HGV driver sustained injuries in the initial motorway collision, and there was significant damage to the roadside barriers and railway infrastructure.

The crash caused major disruption for local commuters, with rail services suspended between York Street and Whiteabbey while emergency services attended the scene. The RAIB’s investigation will now focus on why the motorway barriers failed to contain the lorry and will review the overall strategy for preventing road vehicles from entering railway land in Northern Ireland.

A full report will be released once the inquiry is complete, offering recommendations to improve safety for both road users and rail passengers in our community.