The RAIB is carrying out an investigation into an incident at Willington, near Burton on Trent on 1 August 2007.

Train 1G46, the 15:34 Nottingham to Birmingham New Street passenger service was struck by a heavy object whilst passing an empty freight train that was travelling in the opposite direction. Damage was caused to one side of the train, a Class 170 dmu operated by Central Trains. The damage included broken windows and head light, severe damage to a set of doors and holes in the body side. No injuries have been reported.

Subsequent examination of the passing freight train has revealed that a side stanchion on a flatbed steel carrying wagon was sheared. The freight train 6E79, the 14:17 service from Wolverhampton Steel Terminal to Scunthorpe, and was operated by English, Welsh & Scottish Railway.

Initial investigations show no evidence that the driving of either train, the state of the passenger train, the signalling system, or the track, contributed to the incident.