Driver badly hurt when van hit by train at safety-fears crossing
ADRIVER was left seriously hurt when his van was hit by a train at a level crossing which had been the subject of safety concerns just 12 years before.
The driver’s van was struck by a train at a level crossing in Welshpool on Monday, June 22, last year.
A report from the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) has since found that information on the signs at the crossing explaining how to use it could have led to the van driver crossing without requesting to from the signaller in control.
The incident happened at a userworked crossing, which are usually found when a railway crosses a right of way, such as a private road or land.
The gates or barriers usually have to be operated manually, and some crossings require users to phone a signaller to check if it is safe. It is understood in this instance the van driver didn’t do so, potentially due to poor signage explaining the rules of the crossing.
The report detailed how the van driver was outside the vehicle at the time of the collision, in the area of the vehicle’s open offside door.
The collision caused the van to spin around and hit the van driver into a nearby field. He suffered serious, life affecting injuries because of the collision.
Based on the train’s CCTV, the RAIB report considers that it was possible that the far side gate of the crossing began to swing back as the van crossed, causing the driver to stop and attempt to get out of the van while it was still foul of the line. Following the incident, which involved a Transport for Wales train, RAIB were informed and carried out a preliminary investigation.
They said based on the evidence gathered, the accident happened because the van driver did not call the signaller in control of the crossing to get permission to cross.
The RAIB found that the requirement to stop and call the signaller could be overlooked as it was low down on the sign of instructions.
The RAIB investigated a similar incident at the exact same crossing 12 years earlier, in which a lorry driver admitted using the crossing without calling the signaller.
The agency has investigated a number of incidents at other user worked crossings over the last few years and it remains concerned that accidents and incidents will continue to occur unless changes are made.
Network Rail told the BBC that safety was its “priority”.
Christine Booth, its level crossings risk advisor, said: “We are installing red and green lights to some of the highest risk private crossings and public footpath crossings across Wales to make them safer.
“This includes at Smith crossing in Powys and follows safety improvements already made at crossings such as Ty Gwyn and Pen Uchaf on the north Wales coast.”
The ORR, which is responsible for the safety regulation of Britain’s railways, said: “We’ve been working with Network Rail and the Department for Transport to ensure recommendations are duly considered and acted upon.
“We are also working with industry to introduce new guidance for managing level crossing safety.
“This will help improve risk assessments at level crossings and will apply to all crossings including user worked crossings.”