Haltwhistle teenager killed on unlit rail crossing

Nov 14 2008 by Brian Daniel, The Journal

THE family of a Northumberland teenager killed by a train on a crossing last night led calls for it to be closed.

Christopher David Walton, 17, of Meadow View, Haltwhistle, died when he was hit by a freight train at the West Lodge crossing, near Blenkinsopp Hall, in January.

The accident occurred in hours of darkness and an inquest yesterday heard there was no lighting at the crossing at the time.

Coroner Eric Armstrong and a jury were told Mr Walton may have been standing on the rail track when hit, having not seen or heard the train until it was too late.

It was claimed the noise coming from cars travelling yards away on the A69 may have blocked out the sound of the train and that its headlights may not have been seen amid those of passing vehicles.

At the hearing, at Tynedale Council chambers in Hexham, rail inspector John Tilley identified a number of faults with the crossing.

Mr Tilley said some of the problems were known to Network Rail several years before the accident. However, he said, the train operator had failed to act on them.

Mr Tilley called for the closure of the crossing to prevent further accidents.

And after the hearing, the family backed the closure call, or demanded other improvements if it cannot be achieved. Speaking through solicitor Tony Ward, Mr Walton’s relatives said they were “devastated”. He added: “On Network Rail’s own risk assessment this crossing is sub-standard. I think if there had been warning lights in place, then the accident would not have occurred.

“If they cannot close the crossing then I think warning lights ought to be installed and that would prevent something like this happening again.”

A Network Rail spokeswoman said the company is pursuing closing the crossing as its favoured option. It has spoken to the landowners but no agreement has been reached as yet.

The inquest had heard how Mr Walton had been at work, delivering coal to a house at West Lodge at around 5.30pm on January 22.

He and colleague Gary Roberts walked over the crossing to the property and were asked for another bag of coal.

Mr Roberts went back to the van to do the paperwork.

The witness said: “I heard a very loud audible warning (the train’s horn), as I turned round I then saw Christopher on the crossing, who I think was looking straight ahead, all of a sudden I heard the train strike Christopher.”

In a statement, train driver Jeffrey Wood said: “The young male seemed to freeze and I could not avoid striking him.”

The man who the pair were deliver- ing to came out and he and Mr Roberts found Mr Walton’s body on the track.

A Network Rail spokeswoman said: “This was a tragic accident and our thoughts are with Mr Walton’s friends and family.” She said work has been undertaken to improve the crossing since Mr Walton’s death.

Verdict: Accidental death.