LNER Hull-King's Cross service involved in suspected overspeed incident on East Coast Main Line

Inspectors from the Rail Accident Investigation Branch have been called in after an LNER service was involved in a suspected overspeed incident on the East Coast Main Line.

The 0700 Hull-London King’s Cross service was stopped for nearly 90 minutes after the incident at Grantham South Junction at around 0835 on February 25.

The service is scheduled to pull into the Up Slow loop shortly after stopping at Grantham to allow the 0540 from Edinburgh to overtake it as it runs non-stop between Newcastle and London.

Passenger Andrew Oliver said: “We were accelerating away (from Grantham) when all of a sudden the train lurched to the left. Everything on the table went flying.”

Oliver, a marine lawyer, described the incident as “very violent” and “the most frightening experience I have ever had on a train”.

It’s understood some passengers were thrown from their seats.

The speed limit from crossing to the Up Fast to Up Slow at Grantham South Junction, which is less than a mile from the station, is 25mph.

The train was held for more than 80 minutes in the Up Slow loop while a replacement driver travelled to take it to London.

Oliver praised LNER staff, saying they were “very professional” and that he “couldn’t thank them enough” for providing water and updates to passengers.

RAIB confirmed it had sent a team of inspectors to the site.

A spokeswoman said: “Our inspectors are gathering evidence as part of the process of conducting a preliminary examination and a decision on whether an investigation will be launched will be taken once the evidence collected has been reviewed.”

An LNER spokesman said the operator was liaising with RAIB, adding: “The safety of our customers and colleagues is our top priority. We are continuing our work to understand what has happened."

The unit involved, five-car Azuma set 800202, has continued in traffic since the incident.