Collision between train and car at Hoghton near Preston (25/06)

[Pnerick81]

I know they used to control it but that was 30 year ago when my dad worked there .

 

[MarkWi72]

There are no signals to protect an AHB on the railway side they function independent of the signalling system. If there's a fault an alarm will operate in the relevant box to let them know there's an issue but that's about it.

Ok, thanks for clarifying.

 

[Tractor37]

Mintholme and Hosital crossings are both controlled by Preston box. Bamber bridge is just a gate box now that controls Bamber Bridge crossing

 

[Pnerick81]

Mintholme and Hosital crossings are both controlled by Preston box. Bamber bridge is just a gate box now that controls Bamber Bridge crossing

Thanks . I’ve just been informed that Preston box can override the crossing at hoghton and signals to red. But that’s only if there’s a fault with the crossing .

 

[Tractor37]

Thanks . I’ve just been informed that Preston box can override the crossing at hoghton and signals to red. But that’s only if there’s a fault with the crossing .

Yes there would have to be an override somewhere as Hoghton is an AHB. If the barriers failed, I suppose car drivers would eventually just chicane across the railway regardless.

 

[Efini92]

Mintholme and Hosital crossings are both controlled by Preston box. Bamber bridge is just a gate box now that controls Bamber Bridge crossing

I thought bamber bridge controlled the crossings and give release to Preston to clear the signals.

 

[Pnerick81]

Ok, thanks for clarifying.

Mintholme and Hosital crossings are both controlled by Preston box. Bamber bridge is just a gate box now that controls Bamber Bridge crossing

I hope there isn’t any planning to remove this box as the amount of times cars are on the tracks during queues is horrendous . I’ve seen the signalman telling people to get off the rails

 

[Elecman]

Just found this article, Lancaster Evening Post, re fitting of cameras, I assume this is a highly abused crossing
New cameras installed at level crossings to catch motorists breaking the law

Yes Red Light Safety Cameras are fitted at Hoghton to prosecute Red light chancers/abusers

 

[dk1]

So as an AHB this crossing is triggered by the approaching train, once signals are set in its favour? I did have a look at this crossing on You Tube and it is 20 seconds from when the barrier is fully horizontal, to the passing of the train across the crossing.

Yes the train will pass an AHB within 15-30secs of the barriers lowering. There does Not need to be any signal protection.

 

[King Lazy]

I remember struggling with this concept in training school where the crossing is independent of signals and asked a lot about AHB Crossings. As a green trainee I was caught in the thought of “what if it fails and the signals are green”. I understood the concept of failing safe and regardless of barrier position the lights should be adhered to by road vehicles.

My trainer asked around at Network Rail.

I remember being told the standard is apparently 28 seconds from yellow warning light to train on crossing.

I believe it was set to avoid impatient motorists thinking the crossing had failed.

And the failure rate was something like 0.0003%

One of the crossings I drove you’d round a curve to see the last cars crossing and the barriers lower as you approached.

 

[Pnerick81]

The thing about hoghton crossing is there now doesn’t even have to be a level crossing and could be two Cul de sacs stopping either side of the railway . As both ends of station road join Preston old road .

 

[ainsworth74]

I think we're probably done here for the time being. Once there's relevant updates from the authorities about this horrific incident please feel free to report this post and we'll look at posting/re-opening the thread for further discussion. In the meantime I hope the child passenger makes a swift and full recovery.

 

[Cowley]

To add to the above, a criminal investigation has now begun.

Family pays tribute to 'devoted mum' killed on level crossing

The family of 33-year-old Kerry Coombes say her death has left a "hole that can never be filled".

www.bbc.co.uk

Kerry Coombes, 33, died on Thursday after the collision on Station Road in Hoghton, Lancashire, at 08:50 BST.
An eight-year-old girl who was also in the car is in a critical but stable condition in hospital, British Transport Police said.
The force said it had now launched a criminal investigation into the collision and urged people "not to speculate" on what happened.

 

[Mag_seven]

An RAIB Investigation is now underway.

At around 08:48 on 25 June 2026, the 07:51 Northern passenger service from Colne to Preston struck a car on Hoghton automatic half-barrier level crossing, which is situated between Preston and Blackburn. The driver of the car was fatally injured in the accident and a child who was a passenger in the car was also seriously injured. No injuries were caused to anyone on the train.

Hoghton level crossing is equipped with road traffic lights and an audible alarm for pedestrians, both of which are designed to activate automatically as trains approach. A short time after the lights and alarm activate, half- barriers at both sides of the crossing will automatically lower, to block the left-hand side of the road.

The evidence available to RAIB shows that the train had passed a green (proceed) signal as it approached the crossing. RAIB’s preliminary examination also found that the road traffic lights and audible alarm at the crossing had not been activated, and that the half-barriers were raised.

Our investigation will determine the sequence of events that led to the accident and will include consideration of:

• the actions of those involved and any factors that may have influenced them
• any previous incidents at Hoghton level crossing
• the management of risk at this crossing
• any relevant underlying factors.

Collision between a train and a car at Hoghton level crossing

Investigation into a collision between a passenger train and a car at Hoghton automatic half-barrier level crossing, near Preston, Lancashire, 25 June 2026.

www.gov.uk