Hoghton rail crash investigators say 'barriers and lights failed to activate' before train struck car
Level crossing barriers were up but no warning lights were flashing when 33-year-old local mum, Kerry Coombes, and her daughter, 8, were struck by a train...
An investigation into a fatal collision between a train and a car at a level crossing in Hoghton, Lancashire, has found the lights and alarm had not been activated when the half-barriers were raised for traffic.
Evidence made available to the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) shows that the train had passed a green (proceed) signal as it approached the crossing at around 8.48am on June 25.
The lights and an audible alarm are designed to activate automatically as trains approach, and half- barriers at both sides of the crossing should automatically lower, to protect motorists and pedestrians.
However, these safety measures failed when a 7.51am Northern passenger service from Colne to Preston approached the crossing last month, crashing into a car and killing 33-year-old social worker Kerry Coombes.
Her 8-year-old daughter, Ava, survived the collision, but remains in a serious condition in hospital. No injuries were caused to anyone on the train.
The RAIB published the findings of its preliminary examination today, and said any recommendations to improve safety at the crossing will be made at the conclusion of its investigation.
British Transport Police say a criminal investigation into the collision is ongoing and detectives are following ‘all lines of enquiry’ to establish the exact cause of the crash, and who might be responsible.
“We are deeply sorry”, say Network Rail
Network Rail - who owns and manages the rail line - said it had “fully co-operated with the investigation” and was “deeply sorry” for the “devastating impact it has had on Kerry Coombes’ family and loved ones.”
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Chris Wright, North West route director for Network Rail, which manages Britain’s level crossings, said: “We are deeply sorry that this happened on our railway infrastructure, and for the devastating impact it has had on Kerry Coombes’ family and loved ones.
“Our thoughts remain with them, and with her daughter, who remains in hospital.
“The initial findings published by the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) today are an important step in helping us understand what happened and why.
“In addition to continuing our own investigation, we are also fully co-operating with RAIB and the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) and will carefully consider any findings as they emerge and act swiftly on lessons learned.
“There have been no previous incidents of this nature at Hoghton level crossing, and we have carried out several safety checks and reviews to ensure that the crossing was safe to reopen.”