Audio obtained by Spanish media of the conversations between the operators of both trains and the control center sheds light on the series of decisions leading up to the collision at about 8:53 a.m., near the train station in Urda, reports BritPanorama.
After the computer system went down, the control center instructed the Renfe train operator to resume its journey “at normal speed,” according to an audio clip.
“At normal speed? OK,” the operator responded.
“OK, we’ll talk later,” the controller said before signing off.
Several minutes later, someone from the control center called the Iryo train to authorize it to also continue on its normal journey, as stated in the audio clips. The operator of the Iryo train, which was ahead of the Renfe train, called back seven minutes later to report that she had been unable to restart the train. “I’m still stopped at the entrance signal,” she said, according to the audio clip. The control center then advised her to restart the train when she was able and to call back if she encountered further issues. A short time later, the Renfe train collided with the back of the Iryo train.
