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The Sun 鈥� 鈥楻amadan train driver in crash鈥�, 20 August 2016

Background

The Sun ran a story following RAIB鈥檚 publication of a safety digest on a derailment that took place at Paddington on 16 June 2016.

The article

The article reported that a Muslim train driver had run through a double red light, causing his train to derail, hit a gantry and bring down powerlines. It claimed that the driver 鈥渃rashed after going without food or drink for 15 hours during Ramadan鈥�. It reported that 鈥渞ail accident experts claimed his fast caused the rush-hour derailment鈥�.

The article went on to report that the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) was 鈥渦nable to conclude that fasting was a factor in the crash. But it pointed out studies showed not eating can cause 鈥榮leepiness and reduction in concentration which can result in safety concerns鈥欌��. The article also reported that the company operating the train in question had said that its drivers were 鈥渞egularly briefed and monitored for competence鈥�.

Action taken

RAIB was one of several complainants to IPSO.

Outcome

The complaint was upheld. The online version of the story was removed. On 19 November, a printed correction appeared on page 2 of The Sun.

In a story 鈥楻amadan Train Driver in Crash鈥� (20 Aug) we implied that Rail Accident Investigation Branch said the cause of the derailment at Paddington was that the driver had been fasting during Ramadan. In fact they were unable to conclude that fasting was a factor in the crash on evidence available, although they observed that there is research showing that fasting can affect people鈥檚 concentration levels. It was also stated that the driver of a derailed train ran through TWO red lights at London鈥檚 Paddington Station. In fact the two red lights were on the same signal. We are happy to clarify.

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