Level crossing cyclist in 'nearest miss' with train - Waterbeach, Cambridgeshire

[whole diary]

[Chris from Nailsea]

From the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page):

A cyclist came within seconds of being struck by a train when she tried to dodge a closed level crossing barrier in Cambridgeshire.

The train driver was forced to apply the emergency brake when he saw the woman at Waterbeach on 12 September.

Richard Schofield, from Network Rail, said it was "one of the closest near misses we've seen".

British Transport Police are trying to trace the woman, who also ignored the flashing lights and warning signals.

More than 100 trains travel through the Waterbeach crossing each day, at speeds up to 75mph (120km/h).

Transport police officers have released images of the cyclist to highlight the dangers of misusing level crossings. The footage shows her cycling up to the tracks before braking hard and scurrying backwards just as the train speeds past. Moments later, she can be seen mopping her brow.


The cyclist dodged the closed barrier and ignored the warning signals

Jay Thompson, Greater Anglia's head of safety, said: "Not only was this incident very traumatic for the driver, but it could have resulted in the cyclist being killed."

Barbara Moss, who witnessed the near miss from the opposite platform, said: "What she did was unbelievable and I'd say she's very lucky to still be here. I've never seen anything like it, and I don't want to again."

Network Rail's latest safety campaign, Track Tests, revealed a third of people think they would hear a train in time to move out of the way.

However, route manager Mr Schofield, said: "The person using the crossing not only didn't hear the train, but ignored the warning lights and barriers, putting her life, the lives of passengers and the train driver in danger. Warning systems at level crossings are there for a reason, to protect users from the railway. I hope the release of this footage will highlight the importance of following the safety advice at level crossings."

A spokesman for British Transport Police (BTP^▸ (British Transport Police)), said: "Our main priority is to make sure the woman involved is alright, and find out exactly what happened. But this sort of thing is a criminal offence and people can be charged with failure to obey traffic signs or failure to stop."

Since 1 January, there have been 70 reported incidents at level crossings in Cambridgeshire, he said. These include careless driving as well as people failing to stop or obey signs.

"Incidents of this nature, and this close at Waterbeach, however, are extremely rare," the spokesman added.

[JayMac]

One very stupid, and very lucky lady.

Nearly a Darwin Award winner. Definitely a candidate for an Honourable Mention.

[ChrisB]

Hope the BTP^▸ (British Transport Police) throw the book at her frankly

[BandHcommuter]

I wonder why she turned back and cycled the other way after the incident? Returning home for a change of underwear perhaps. 

[ChrisB]

I would think so - she definitely wiped her brow as the train passed....

[bobm]

The BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page) are reporting she has come forward.

A woman has told police she was the cyclist who came within inches of being struck by a train after dodging a level crossing barrier.

The cyclist was filmed passing the closed barrier and ignoring warning signals and lights at Waterbeach in Cambridgeshire on 12 September.

Rail bosses described it as "one of the closest near misses we've seen".

British Transport Police (BTP^▸ (British Transport Police)) said it had cancelled its appeal and would speak with her "on a voluntary basis".

Hundreds of thousands of people have watched footage of the woman cycling up to the tracks before slamming on her brakes, and edging backwards as the train sped past.

'Extremely rare'
 
The driver of the train needed to apply the emergency brake when he saw her, operator Greater Anglia said.

Moments later the woman was seen mopping her brow before cycling off in the direction she had come from.

More than 100 trains travel through the Waterbeach crossing each day, at speeds up to 75mph (120km/h).

A woman contacted transport police on Thursday, following the release of CCTV^▸ (Closed Circuit Tele Vision) images of the incident earlier this week.

She will be speaking to BTP officers on 9 October.

Since 1 January, there have been 70 reported incidents at level crossings in Cambridgeshire, a BTP spokesman said.

However, he added that incidents like this one were "extremely rare".

[Chris from Nailsea]

From the British Transport Police press release:

Waterbeach level crossing update: Woman receives caution
 
A woman has been cautioned after British Transport Police (BTP^▸ (British Transport Police)) released a public appeal for information following an incident on a level crossing in Waterbeach.

The 26-year-old from Cambridge contacted police after seeing her image in the media and was interviewed by officers.

A BTP spokesman said: ^d like to thank the members of public for coming forward with vital information, as well as the media for their assistance in this investigation.^

The woman has been cautioned under section 36 of the Malicious Damages Act 1861.

[JayMac]

An obscure bit of legislation still on the statute book is that. Section 36 is one of the few parts that still exist. Most other sections have been repealed and superseded by the Criminal Damage Act 1971.

36 Obstructing engines or carriages on railways.

Whosoever, by any unlawful act, or by any wilful omission or neglect, shall obstruct or cause to be obstructed any engine or carriage using any railway, or shall aid or assist therein, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and being convicted thereof shall be liable, at the discretion of the court, to be imprisoned for any term not exceeding two years

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/Vict/24-25/97/section/36

I guess the 'obstruction' was the fact that the driver of the Class 170 had to apply the emergency brake.