The rights or wrong about suicide are very very emotional subjects. I would ask that from here on out discussion about whether or not the victim here was 'selfish' or not is not continued. As yet, unless I've missed something, we don't even know if this was a suicide.
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FGW - Line blocked between Castle Cary & Taunton
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So a car driver (allegedly) weaves around the barriers and rather than it being his fault the usual suspects are saying he may have mental health issues etc! :roll:
Maybe he was in a rush and took a split second decision to "chance it", after all it only takes a second or 2 to get across the level crossing so what are the chances of being hit?
Maybe he always weaves around them "because he can"?
I would say that whatever the truth is in this case his luck ran out, still at least he wont do it again and good on all the news reports saying that "eye witnesses" were saying the barriers were down and the car weaved around them instead of the knee jerk reaction to call it a rail crash.
Maybe he was in a rush and took a split second decision to "chance it", after all it only takes a second or 2 to get across the level crossing so what are the chances of being hit?
Maybe he always weaves around them "because he can"?
I would say that whatever the truth is in this case his luck ran out, still at least he wont do it again and good on all the news reports saying that "eye witnesses" were saying the barriers were down and the car weaved around them instead of the knee jerk reaction to call it a rail crash.
tsr
Established Member
We can't say why the driver jumped the barriers, at this stage, no - and thus I agree that this is probably the point from which leave the "selfishness" aspect out of any further discussion. Apologies for any confusion in my posts, and I hope I have not started a discussion which has gone on to offend anyone. That is never intended by any of my posts!
I would think a ticketholder in this situation should ask staff at the station to see if they can endorse the ticket for earlier travel. If the station is unstaffed or the station staff don't know if they should, it would probably be best to quickly ask the TM/guard when they are standing beside the earlier train.
In the circumstances, I hope use of an earlier train would be allowed, within reason.
Zoidberg
Established Member
Network Rail Tweeted a minute or two ago:
This article contains a photograph of the mangled car being removed - http://www.somersetcountygazette.co...k_by_train_on_Somerset_level_crossing/?ref=mr
This article contains a photograph of the mangled car being removed - http://www.somersetcountygazette.co...k_by_train_on_Somerset_level_crossing/?ref=mr
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The Train Managers will have be aware of the situation but I haven't seen anything saying that FGW were accepting advance tickets for earlier travel due to the disruption.
It would however have been interesting to know what FGW's policy on this is.
tsr
Established Member
No - I had not heard anything from FGW directly, so to speak. I was merely commenting that I thought it might be possible to have Advance tickets endorsed for earlier travel, should the passenger(s) ask staff.
warriorwarlord
Member
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- 57
Judging from the photo, the HST seems to have taken the impact rather well, thankfully it wasn't another Ufton Nervet. Dread to think how traumatising the incident was for the train driver.
anthony263
Established Member
I think you are correct we only have to remember the Ufton Nervet incident to realise how bad this could have been and the fact that the hst has stood up so well can show how well built it is.
Hope the driver will be ok after going through such a shocking incident.
tsr
Established Member
FGW say there were two personnel in the cab. I should imagine this was deeply unpleasant for both of them.
umontu
Member
First of all, thoughts with all involved.
Second
On that Gazzette page there's a gentleman who states
Interestingly in the recent BBC series one of the Network Rail guys stated something along the lines of "Manned crossings aren't safe" "These people seem to believe it rightly or wrongly"
Now forgive my ignorance but full barriers and a person watching the crossing seems safer to me, they'd likely learn local attitudes to the crossing and would be more likely to spot an incident before a single person in a huge box in control of many crossings.
So why, in the eyes of NR, would I that gentleman and the people in the tv show be wrong in that reasoning?
Temple Meads
Established Member
Looks like a horrible incident, my thoughts are with everyone involved, particularly the train crew and of course the car occupants nearest and dearest.
Having travelled over this crossing both by car and by train, and having seen the speed trains attain through here, this incident could've been a hell of a lot worse, and easily another Ufton Nervert.
Having travelled over this crossing both by car and by train, and having seen the speed trains attain through here, this incident could've been a hell of a lot worse, and easily another Ufton Nervert.
Because all crossings are safe when used correctly, its when "people" abuse the crossings that things can go wrong!
Is that the fault of the crossing?
Not sure if that crossing is designed like this but maybe it should be.
You have half-road barriers as before but also one-way road spikes on the other half facing the other way. So no vehicle is trapped if they are on the level crossing but a vehicle outside cannot go onto the other side of the road and onto the level crossing.
You have half-road barriers as before but also one-way road spikes on the other half facing the other way. So no vehicle is trapped if they are on the level crossing but a vehicle outside cannot go onto the other side of the road and onto the level crossing.
tsr
Established Member
The initial reports supplied to the public would suggest the driver is likely to have driven onto the crossing whilst the barriers were lowered.
There may, however, have been a fault with the crossing lights (for example), or the design, type and positioning of the crossing chosen.
That said, I fail to see why anybody in their right mind should want to drive around closed barriers, even if all the lights had mysteriously somehow managed to coincidentally fail.
I imagine very few if any forum members know if these definitely were or were not factors.
Old-School
Member
Firstly to state my thoughts are with all those that were involved.
I'm not implying this is a case of level crossing misuse by the motorist who was killed in today's incident, as most of us don't have the facts of what actually happened and can only speculate or believe what the media report until official investigative reports or statements (if any) are released by officials such as RAIB, Police etc.
It is now all too common that far too many motorists, pedestrians and other users choose to ignore safety or adapt the "That rule doesn't apply to me" attitude when it comes to level crossings, unfortunately this will never change and here to stay
There are many safety campaign adverts produced such as "'Lifesavers not time wasters', from Network Rail's TV campaign on level crossing safety, and real CCTV footage of level crossing misuse.
Although a lot of level crossing users find it frustrating to have to wait at a level crossing; they're only activated for the shortest period of time possible, level crossings primary function and design is purely to be the safest way to protect pedestrians and motorists and other users from one of the busiest railway networks in the world, They're not time wasters, they're life savers.
Between 2009 and 2010, there were over 4,500 misuse of level crossing incidents by motorists and pedestrians recorded ; the consequences of level crossing misuse can be and are often fatal. The most serious offences can also result in a prison sentence, if the user is lucky enough to escape fatality .
Trains can travel up to 125mph and it is impossible for them to be able to stop quickly no matter how fast the Train Drivers reaction/reflexes are, meaning you are probably very unlikely to survive a collision with a train, especially if it is traveling at high speed. trains can also create turbulence which can also drag a person under its wheels if too close to the tracks.
Thought for the day "You may be in a hurry. You may use a level crossing every day. You may even think you know when the train is coming. But if you risk misusing level crossings then you're putting your life, and your family's, as well as the train drivers, on-board train staff and not to forget the trains passengers at risk.
Level Crossings: they're Life Savers not Time Wasters
I'm not implying this is a case of level crossing misuse by the motorist who was killed in today's incident, as most of us don't have the facts of what actually happened and can only speculate or believe what the media report until official investigative reports or statements (if any) are released by officials such as RAIB, Police etc.
It is now all too common that far too many motorists, pedestrians and other users choose to ignore safety or adapt the "That rule doesn't apply to me" attitude when it comes to level crossings, unfortunately this will never change and here to stay
There are many safety campaign adverts produced such as "'Lifesavers not time wasters', from Network Rail's TV campaign on level crossing safety, and real CCTV footage of level crossing misuse.
Although a lot of level crossing users find it frustrating to have to wait at a level crossing; they're only activated for the shortest period of time possible, level crossings primary function and design is purely to be the safest way to protect pedestrians and motorists and other users from one of the busiest railway networks in the world, They're not time wasters, they're life savers.
Between 2009 and 2010, there were over 4,500 misuse of level crossing incidents by motorists and pedestrians recorded ; the consequences of level crossing misuse can be and are often fatal. The most serious offences can also result in a prison sentence, if the user is lucky enough to escape fatality .
Trains can travel up to 125mph and it is impossible for them to be able to stop quickly no matter how fast the Train Drivers reaction/reflexes are, meaning you are probably very unlikely to survive a collision with a train, especially if it is traveling at high speed. trains can also create turbulence which can also drag a person under its wheels if too close to the tracks.
Thought for the day "You may be in a hurry. You may use a level crossing every day. You may even think you know when the train is coming. But if you risk misusing level crossings then you're putting your life, and your family's, as well as the train drivers, on-board train staff and not to forget the trains passengers at risk.
Level Crossings: they're Life Savers not Time Wasters
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PHILIPE
Veteran Member
They do try and drive round clpsed barriers at AHB crossings thinking "I can do it. Nothing will happen to me"> Re the suicidal discussion, we should not speculate anything at this stage. Wait for the inquest etc.,
Thats why there should be one way spikes on the side of the road without barriers.
FGW did remarkably well to ensure there were only two service cancellations The 1218 Paddington - Taunton and its return working. All high speed West of England services ran via Bristol and the largest delay was around 30 minutes.
That is due in part to the higher line speeds between Bristol and Reading and the non-stop run between Taunton and Reading There was little need for Advance Purchase ticket holders to travel on an earlier service.
That is due in part to the higher line speeds between Bristol and Reading and the non-stop run between Taunton and Reading There was little need for Advance Purchase ticket holders to travel on an earlier service.
Anything but the (car) drivers fault isnt it! :roll:
I drive trains over AHBs quite often (most days actually), guess how many times I have had them fail in the up position, actually fail at all?
Guess how many times I have seen cars go over the crossing with the lights flashing and the barriers either lowering or lowered?
You are entitled to your opinion however misinformed or silly it is but instead of posting your misinformed drivel why dont you wait for some official statement rather than post your anti-rail propaganda!
callum112233
Member
Whats the line speed in this section? 125?
61653 HTAFC
Veteran Member
This would be a brilliant idea and would save lives. The only slight issue with crossings such as Athelney in rural areas, would be the problems this might cause for wider agricultural vehicles using the crossing even when the barriers are up. That said, it should be possible to make the 'spikes' retractable so that they only raise as the crossing is activated.
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