Level Crossing Incident - Finningley (nr Doncaster) 4th December

[IanXC]

Reports coming in of a collision between a train and a car at a level crossing in Finningley.

Two people have been seriously injured in a crash on a level crossing in South Yorkshire.

British Transport Police said a train collided with a car at the Beech Hill crossing on Springs Road, Finningley, at 12:35 GMT.

A spokesman said: "The train is upright and on the tracks. Passengers have been removed from the train."

No-one on the train was injured, the spokesman said. Emergency services are at the scene.

Appears to be East Midlands Trains 2K36, the 11.54 from Lincoln Central, due at Doncaster at 12.47. This appears to be the crossing in question https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=Sp...anoid=0APkZHZ7kaBoRt24QLWzVQ&cbp=12,0.32,,0,0

 

[tsr]

Unfortunately, three people (two women and a child) appear to have been seriously injured (also according to BBC News).

 

[jamesontheroad]

Last time I was through that crossing I seem to recall it had only half-width barriers. Not concluding anything, but it's just a factor to consider :roll:

 

[jon0844]

No chance of CCTV on the crossing itself (looking at Google Streetview), but will the train have a forward facing camera?

The BBC has reported it as a train striking a vehicle (technically correct, but always paints a picture that suggests the train is at fault) but with half barriers, it does seem rather more likely that it was someone taking a chance.

The child has now been airlifted to hospital with (presumably very) serious injuries.

 

[D2022]

Thoughts go out to the involved party.

 

[tsr]

The BBC has reported it as a train striking a vehicle (technically correct, but always paints a picture that suggests the train is at fault) but with half barriers, it does seem rather more likely that it was someone taking a chance.

It's probably unlikely that the train or its driver were at fault, but obviously it is certainly not impossible. Likewise for the LC's equipment.

What's the linespeed and train driver's viewing distance just here, out of interest (if anyone knows)?

 

[jon0844]

Look at Google Streetview as there's an image right slap bang on the crossing - showing pretty good visibility in both directions (weather permitting etc).

 

[DarloRich]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-20595926

bbc news report

Misson Springs level crossing crash injures two

A four-year-old girl has been seriously injured after a train struck a car on a level crossing.

The train collided with the vehicle at the Beech Hill crossing on Springs Road at Misson Springs, on the border of Nottinghamshire and South Yorkshire.

British Transport Police said the girl was airlifted to hospital while the 67-year-old female driver was being treated for neck injuries and bruising.

No-one on board the Lincoln to Doncaster train was injured.

Earlier, police said they believed three people had been in the car when the collision occurred, shortly before 12:35 BST.

British Transport Police said: "The car contained two occupants, a woman and a child. The child, a four-year-old girl, sustained serious injuries and has been airlifted to hospital in Sheffield, where she is in intensive care.

"The driver, a 67-year-old woman, received neck injuries and bruising and has been taken to hospital in Doncaster.

"The train was damaged but has remained upright and on the tracks. Passengers were removed from the train and there are no reports of injuries."

Buses are replacing trains between Doncaster and Lincoln Central as a result of the crash, with journey times extended by up to 45 minutes.
'Safely escorted'

A spokesman for East Midlands Train said: "Our first priority and thoughts are for those involved in the incident.

"Our staff ensured that passengers were safely escorted from the train and these passengers will be taken forward to Doncaster by alternative road transport.

"Safety is our absolute priority and we will do everything in our power to assist the investigation into identifying the cause of the incident."

The Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) has begun working with police to investigate the crash.

 

[IanXC]

This article appears to show a picture of the crossing after the incident http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/articles/4...red-level-crossing-crash-finningley-child.htm

Edit - not so sure - it may just be a suspiciously similar crossing.

 

[ushawk]

Looks like the line is now further affected as a person has been hit by a train in the Saxilby area.

 

[jon0844]

This article appears to show a picture of the crossing after the incident http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/articles/4...red-level-crossing-crash-finningley-child.htm

Edit - not so sure - it may just be a suspiciously similar crossing.

That's a different crossing to the one linked above and the one I subsequently posted screen grabs of.

Mark Jepson, from Rotherham, tweeted: "Thoughts with level crossing crash victims at Finningley. I've been over it countless times with work. Dangerous place."

Why is it dangerous? Do the barriers not close when the lights come on then? If there are barriers, I fail to see how it's dangerous??? Or, if that's someone who travels on the train as against by road then perhaps it suggests people take chances regularly?

 

[IanXC]

That's a different crossing to the one linked above and the one I subsequently posted screen grabs of.

At a glance I assumed it was the correct one due to it being the correct type of crossing. The BBC article does now have a picture of the actual crossing in question http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-20595926

 

[jon0844]

The BBC reporter on the scene (BBC News) showed where the train is - about a quarter of a mile further on (his guess) and he suggested that this was either because the train was going really fast, or that there was little warning for the train to stop.

I guess he assumes that a train can just stop in a few metres like a car?? IF someone has attempted to go around the barriers (assuming they hadn't failed in some way) then I can't imagine the train having any warning as for the driver to have enough time to stop, the car would have enough time to cross!

Update: Now it's confirmed there were only two occupants in the car - adult and child.

 

[tsr]

The BBC reporter on the scene (BBC News) showed where the train is - about a quarter of a mile further on (his guess) and he suggested ... that there was little warning for the train to stop.

I guess he assumes that a train can just stop in a few metres like a car??

I don't know how that's the specific assumption on the part of the reporter. There would indeed have been very little time to act if the vehicle suddenly emerged directly in front of the train. He is probably factoring a train's stopping distance into his assumption.

 

[jon0844]

The way it was said suggested that the train was going really fast (no doubt leading to many people now concluding the train was speeding etc).

And I fail to see how the train could have stopped any sooner, as to have had sufficient warning to stop any sooner would mean that a) any vehicle trying to jump would have plenty of time to cross and b) the train would be going much slower by the time it reached the crossing.

To me, the train was going at (or up to) line speed and was effectively struck by the vehicle, not the other way around.

It would seem from the TV report that visibility would have been fairly good there too - so if the driver had seen a car broken down on the crossing, I am sure it would have started to brake quite some distance away, and therefore wouldn't have continued as far as it did. So, the reporter was partly correct but seemed to report it in a way that conjures up questions that seems to lay blame on the railway.

I realise I'm speculating here, and I know I shouldn't, but I am sure the most logical explanation is probably correct - unless the crossing failed and that is surely rather unlikely?

Another thing from the TV pictures is that the crossing lights are still flashing red, so I think we'll find that they were working even if the barriers possibly were not.

 

[Harbon 1]

When I heard "between Doncaster..." on Radio 2, I thought it would have been nasty with a HST or IC225, but then "...and Lincoln" *phew*. Until we know more we can't guess, but I can't see any reason to jump a crossing whilst the barriers are down. I don't like cycling across them when they're up!

 

[YorkshireBear]

Removed.. off topic

 

[142094]

Why is it dangerous? Do the barriers not close when the lights come on then? If there are barriers, I fail to see how it's dangerous??? Or, if that's someone who travels on the train as against by road then perhaps it suggests people take chances regularly?

Like anything, if used correctly it is perfectly safe. However, as there are people out there who continue to either make a massive mistake, error, have a lack of judgement or act recklessly, then of course the danger increases. The problem we have in this country is something like this happens then there is a chorus of disapproval about x, y and z and 'something should be done', usually at a very high cost and inconvenience to others.

The railways always seems to be a victim of poor reporting and judgements, but when you look at the safety record of the railways to the UK roads, there is no comparison. But that doesn't make the headlines.

 

[Goatboy]

Why is it dangerous? Do the barriers not close when the lights come on then? If there are barriers, I fail to see how it's dangerous??? Or, if that's someone who travels on the train as against by road then perhaps it suggests people take chances regularly?

More to the point why are the BBC quoting randomers on Twitter as part of a serious news story?

 

[IanXC]

BBC Look North (Hull) has shown footage of the accident scene, showing the car off down the embankment, and the tip of the half barrier broken off.

 

[andyfrommk]

BBC Look North (Hull) has shown footage of the accident scene, showing the car off down the embankment, and the tip of the half barrier broken off.

The Daily Mail has a shot of the crossing.
It looks as if the other barrier has been ripped clear off!

 

[neonison]

The Daily Mail has a shot of the crossing.
It looks as if the other barrier has been ripped clear off!

Broken off in this incident or before?

 

[Ferret]

More to the point why are the BBC quoting randomers on Twitter as part of a serious news story?

What do you expect? The Beeb aren't the bastion of intelligent and accurate journalism that they once were.

 

[andyfrommk]

Broken off in this incident or before?

I don't imagine NetworkRail would have allowed a crossing to be in operation with only one half barrier.
It would be useless if only the stub came down.

 

[142094]

More to the point why are the BBC quoting randomers on Twitter as part of a serious news story?

Easier than actually going out and doing what some would call proper journalism. Seems like most newspapers do these days.

 

[jon0844]

More to the point why are the BBC quoting randomers on Twitter as part of a serious news story?

It fills paragraphs and makes stories longer and seem more unique.. and everyone seems to do it.

Naturally, the comments on Twitter are usually ridiculous. It still doesn't stop them being quoted.

 

[Searle]

You may loathe them, but the DM have a picture of the train after the incident

Doesn't look like it's sustained that much damage

 

[Tracked]

The BBC report from the location I saw earlier said and showed the barrier lights were still flashing while they were doing the report, it was interspersed with that one where they sounded surprised that it took a long time to stop :roll:

That twitter thing in their online report is lazy reporting, and last time I looked there were a few replies to the person who'd tweeted it suggesting that it's only a dangerous crossing if people don't pay attention to the barriers and flashing lights, etc

edit: and looking at the BBC story on its website, the twitter quote is gone

 

[ainsworth74]

Doesn't look like it's sustained that much damage

I don't know that obstacle deflector/mini-snow plough looks pretty buckled on the right hand side. Still trains tend to be a hell of a lot tougher than most cars so it's hardly surprising that it is, on the surface, fairly undamaged.

 

[MadCommuter]

Not sure what the weather was like in the area, but ice on the road may have been an issue? Anyway, that's just speculation and I know its against forum ethics.

Couple of questions: Would the skip be there to test the LC equipment? And should that guy be on the track in a yellow hi vis jacket?