Friday 13 Aug 2021
Shocking CCTV films car inches away from striking train on level crossing
- Region & Route:
- North West & Central
- | North West & Central: North West
Shocking video has been released showing a car driver ignoring red lights at a level crossing and driving directly in front of an oncoming train in the Lake District.
Network Rail today (Friday 13 August) released the footage of the near miss at a barrierless level crossing on the Windermere branch line at Burneside as a safety warning to drivers.
The car was so close to being struck the camera angle only captures its roof as it blindly drives straight over the tracks.
Fortunately the vehicle made it across without colliding with the Northern service.
The incident, shortly after 9am on 29 July, has been described by senior railway staff as one of the closest near misses they’ve ever seen.
Simon Shipperd, level crossing manager for Network Rail, said: “Not only did this car driver put themselves in serious danger, they also put the train driver and passengers at risk too.
“This is careless driving on a shocking level. Our advice is simple – however tempting it is to jump the lights - don’t do it – you’re putting lives at risk.”
Chris Jackson, regional director at Northern, said: “It’s unbelievable that anyone would take such risks at level crossings.
“The potential impact of such a risk is catastrophic and it is only through good fortune that this incident did not result in something far more serious.
“It is vital that road users and pedestrians respect crossings and follow all instructions to ensure they are used safely. When people refuse to follow the rules we will continue to work with Network Rail and British Transport Police to help trace those responsible.”
After releasing the video, Network Rail has reissued its guidance on how to use level crossings safely as a driver.
Motorists should:
- Always be prepared to stop at the crossing.
- Understand the warnings (lights, barriers, alarms).
- If the warnings activate, stop – unless it’s unsafe to do so.
- Remain stationary until all the warnings stop.
- Check that the exit is clear before driving across.
For more information and resources on how to use all types of level crossings safely, visit www.networkrail.co.uk/level-crossing-safety/
Contact information
Passengers / community members
Network Rail national helpline
03457 11 41 41
Latest travel advice
Please visit National Rail Enquiries
Journalists
Network Rail press office - North West & Central Region
0330 854 0100
NWCmediarelations@networkrail.co.uk
About Network Rail
We own, operate and develop Britain's railway infrastructure; that's 20,000 miles of track, 30,000 bridges, tunnels and viaducts and the thousands of signals, level crossings and stations. We run 20 of the UK's largest stations while all the others, over 2,500, are run by the country's train operating companies.
Usually, there are almost five million journeys made in the UK and over 600 freight trains run on the network. People depend on Britain's railway for their daily commute, to visit friends and loved ones and to get them home safe every day. Our role is to deliver a safe and reliable railway, so we carefully manage and deliver thousands of projects every year that form part of the multi-billion pound Railway Upgrade Plan, to grow and expand the nation's railway network to respond to the tremendous growth and demand the railway has experienced - a doubling of passenger journeys over the past 20 years.
Follow us on Twitter: @networkrail
Visit our online newsroom: www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk