The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) has opened an investigation into a near miss involving a train and a heavy goods vehicle (HGV) that occurred near York Street, Belfast, on 20 March 2026.

The incident took place at approximately 16:40, following a road traffic collision on the northbound carriageway of the M2 motorway. An HGV involved in the collision left the carriageway, breaking through the containment barrier that separates the motorway from the adjacent Belfast to Derry-Londonderry railway line. The vehicle came to rest in the cess, situated just clear of the up line.

Shortly after the incursion, the 15:51 service from Larne Town to Belfast (train B749) approached the area. The train driver observed the obstruction ahead and successfully applied the brakes, passing the HGV at approximately 16 mph (26 km/h) without making contact with the vehicle. The train subsequently stopped at York Street station, where the driver alerted the signaller to the incident. While the HGV driver sustained injuries during the initial road collision, there were no reported injuries from the railway incident. Significant damage was caused to the HGV, the motorway's containment barrier, fencing, and local railway infrastructure.

The RAIB's independent investigation will focus on establishing the sequence of events leading up to the incursion. Key areas of consideration include:

• The management of road vehicle incursion risks at this specific location, with a focus on the type of containment measures currently in place.

• The broader strategy for controlling the risk of road vehicles entering railway property across Northern Ireland.

• Any underlying management factors that may have contributed to the incident.

This investigation is independent of any separate enquiries being conducted by the railway industry or the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland. The RAIB has confirmed that it will publish its findings, along with any safety recommendations, upon the conclusion of the inquiry.