Crash driver 'didn't follow safety rules'

Jun 5 2008 by Paul Loraine, The Journal

A DRIVER whose delivery van collided with a passenger train in Northumberland did not follow safety warnings about crossing the tracks, officials said yesterday.

The DHL driver, 20, escaped with injuries to his arm when the Northern Rail train from Newcastle to Whitehaven hit his van a quarter of a mile from Bardon Mill station on Tuesday afternoon.

Network Rail yesterday confirmed that the driver had failed to follow written instructions on the “user-worked” crossing, whereby drivers are told to ring a signaller who tells them if it is safe to cross.

Such crossings are generally used on farmland and quiet roads.

None of the 45 train passengers were hurt but the van driver, from Blyth, Northumberland, was taken to Hexham General Hospital with minor arm injuries after being treated at the scene for shock.

Yesterday a spokeswoman for Network Rail said: “The signaller did not receive a phone call at that time and we are in the process of getting the documents together. The phones were working normally at the time and there were no signalling issues that we are aware of.

“But we are not making any judgements at this stage as the investigation is ongoing.”

After the crash four fire crews from Hexham, Haydon Bridge and Haltwhistle arrived with an ambulance and community paramedic. An air ambulance was also on call but not required.

The line was suspended between Hexham and Carlisle in both directions for two hours while investigations were carried out.

A spokesman for British Transport Police said: “We are currently investigating an incident after a van was truck by a passenger train at Bardon Mill Level Crossing, Bardon Mill, Northumberland.

“The train involved was the 16.24 Newcastle to Whitehaven Northern Rail service. The driver of the van, a 20-year-old man, was taken to hospital suffering from minor injuries.”

Reports suggested yesterday that the driver was using a satellite navigation system, but Network Rail said there was “no indication” that this was the case.

A spokesman for DHL said the van driver had been released from hospital, adding: “As this is an ongoing police investigation it would be inappropriate to comment further.”