Woman dies after cars struck by train at Moreton-on-Lugg in Herefordshire (16 January 2010)

[whole diary]

[Chris from Nailsea]

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

A woman has died after her car and another vehicle were hit by a train on a level crossing in Herefordshire.

The 50-year-old, who lived locally, died in hospital after being airlifted from the scene of the crash which happened at about 1030 GMT.

Her husband was also injured, as were a mother and daughter in a second car.

A spokesman for British Transport Police said it was investigating the cause of the collision which happened near the village of Moreton-on-Lugg.

The woman's husband suffered pelvic and shoulder injuries and is being treated at Hereford County Hospital.

The mother and daughter suffered minor injuries, West Midlands Ambulance Service said.

The driver of the 0830 GMT Arriva Trains Wales train from Manchester Piccadilly to Milford Haven was checked by paramedics at the scene while a number of passengers were treated for shock.

It is not yet known how the cars came to be on the track. The level crossing has barriers and lights and there is a signal box nearby.

The investigation involves British Transport Police, West Mercia Police and Network Rail while the Rail Accidents Investigating Branch has been informed.

The train line has remained closed and will remain out of service while investigations take place and the vehicles are removed, police said.

Ch Insp Kevin Marshall, of the British Transport Police, said: "The railway is a very dangerous place. But on this occasion I'm keeping a really open mind about what happened."

[grandsire]

The photo on the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page) website seems to show that the barriers are full length ones i.e cover the whole road. Also there is a signal box right on the crossing.  So maybe on this occasion it is not the car driver(s) who are at fault.

[IanC]

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

The driver of the 0830 GMT Arriva Trains Wales train from Manchester Piccadilly to Milford Haven was checked by paramedics at the scene while a number of passengers were treated for shock.

The train line has remained closed and will remain out of service while investigations take place and the vehicles are removed, police said.

Terrible news to hear. I was on the 0750 CDF^» (Cardiff - next trains) -> MAN so wouldn't know how I would've coped if it was indeed the train I was on was involved in an accident.

On my return journey the 2030 MAN -> CDF the train got as far as Shrewsbury, with a replacement bus taking us to stations in between to Hereford. A local (Hereford) Taxi then took onward passengers to Newport/Cardiff, with what would've been a 00:13 arrival being a 01:45 arrival.

As we were waiting at Hereford station for the Taxi, there were a few Network Rail pick-up tracks in the station car park.

[John R]

The photo on the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page) website seems to show that the barriers are full length ones i.e cover the whole road. Also there is a signal box right on the crossing.  So maybe on this occasion it is not the car driver(s) who are at fault.

That certainly was my initial thought when I saw that picture. Neither barrier appeared damaged either.   

[Mookiemoo]

I know that level crossing - its on a decent route for avoiding the centre of hereford on race days if you want to head south of there

[dmutony]

having just travelled CTR-BRI^» (Bristol Temple Meads - next trains) i decided to go via CRE^» (Crewe - next trains) and BHM as the line at hereford is still closed. normally cath the holyhead-cardiff getting of at NWP then going to BRI as its only one change.

[Mookiemoo]

I'm just grateful for two things:

1. My tutorial was cancelled on saturday and I did not have to try to get to liverpool

2. Its north of Shelwick Junction so at least m WOStrain in the morning will run

[JayMac]

'Barriers up' in Herefordshire level crossing crash. From the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page):

The safety barriers were up at a level crossing in Herefordshire where a woman was killed by a passing train, British Transport Police have said.

Jane Harding, 52, was a passenger in one of two cars on the crossing when a train crashed into it in Moreton-on-Lugg, Herefordshire, on Saturday.

Her husband was driving and suffered serious pelvis and shoulder injuries.

A mother and daughter in the second car had minor injuries. It is not yet known how the cars came to be on the tracks.

Police said the crossing had been checked and was operating normally now, although drivers were urged to take care due to flooding on nearby roads.

The line between Hereford and Shrewsbury had been closed over the weekend while investigations were carried out but re-opened on Monday.

The crash took place on Saturday morning and involved the 0830 GMT Arriva Trains Wales train from Manchester Piccadilly to Milford Haven.

A number of passengers, a signalman and the train's driver were checked by paramedics for shock.

British Transport Police, West Mercia Police and Network Rail are investigating the cause of the crash, and the Rail Accident Investigation Branch has been informed.

[John R]

That's confirming what seemed obvious from the photo (and the lack of the normal reproachful comments from the authorities immediately after the accident about the dangers of crossings if not properly used).

It's tempting to speculate on the cause but I guess we must wait for any statements from the RAIB^▸ (Rail Accident Investigation Branch).

[eightf48544]

I agree with John R, very suspicious, by now there would normally be lots of rumours circualting.

This very sad event seems to have gone very quite.

[Chris from Nailsea]

Two quotes, from those BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page) news items:

Ch Insp Kevin Marshall, of the British Transport Police, said: "The railway is a very dangerous place. But on this occasion I'm keeping a really open mind about what happened."

Police said the crossing had been checked and was operating normally now ...

_{(my emphasis in bold)}

I'm keeping a close eye on the RAIB^▸ (Rail Accident Investigation Branch) website, but they've not yet confirmed that they are investigating this tragic incident. 

[eightf48544]

Two trains?

[Ollie]

Two trains?

Only one involved from what I've seen.

[Chris from Nailsea]

I agree with Ollie: one train. 

[eightf48544]

Train in the other direction shortly before?