An investigation has been launched after a high-speed passenger train nearly collided with a van parked on railway tracks near Millbrook station in Bedfordshire. The incident occurred at 23:34 BST on 25 September, when the train was travelling at 108mph (174km/h). Thankfully, nobody was injured and there was no damage reported.

The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) is carrying out the inquiry and will publish safety recommendations once its report is completed. According to a preliminary assessment, staff had planned to carry out work on two lines closed to trains but instead reversed a works van onto a track that was still open.

No details have been released regarding how many passengers were on board at the time of the near-miss. The RAIB’s preliminary findings stated that railway staff intended to work on the "up and down slow" lines, which were blocked to rail traffic. However, they accessed tracks adjacent to the up and down fast lines, which were still in service.

"At the time of the near miss, the van was positioned on the down fast line, with its rear close to the up fast line on which the train was travelling," the RAIB said. The full safety report is due to be published "in the coming weeks".

Image: Rail Accident Investigation Branch