Man dies in level crossing crash

The car became trapped under the train at Flookburgh

A motorist was killed when a train crashed into a car on a level crossing in Cumbria.

The ambulance service said the car became trapped under the train at Wraysholme, Flookburgh, near Grange-over-Sands, on Monday afternoon.

A spokeswoman said there were 32 passengers on the train, but none were injured. The train was not derailed.

The car was hit by the 0937 GMT Carlisle to Lancaster train, believed to consist of two carriages.

The crash comes on the day Network Rail launched a hard-hitting TV and radio advertising campaign warning of the dangers of level crossing misuse.

The adverts warn motorists they are "dicing with death" by ignoring warning signs and lights by weaving round barriers at level crossings.

A spokesman for British Transport Police said the speed limit on the stretch of track where Monday's crash happened was 55mph (88kp/h).

The level crossing at Wraysholme is understood to have a barrier with a warning light and klaxons to tell motorists a train is approaching.

In February two men were hurt when a train hit their 4x4 vehicle on the same level crossing.

Network Rail chief executive Iain Coucher said: "Level crossings are safe, but tragically it is unsafe driver behaviour that causes accidents and deaths.

"Every week three motorists risk their lives and those of others by abusing level crossings. We have a simple message to all: don't run the risk."

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version