Car and train nearly collide at Ufton Nervet

Investigation begins after car narrowly avoids hitting a train at the scene of the 2004 Ufton Nervet rail crash

AN investigation is being carried out after a car nearly collided with a train at the Ufton Nervet level crossing two weeks ago, the scene of the 2004 tragedy in which hundreds of people were injured and seven people were killed.

The incident occurred at around 12.30pm on September 4 when a train travelling from London Paddington to Bedwyn passed over the barrier level crossing at the stretch of line between Theale and Aldermaston.

The double track main line between Reading and Westbury had been closed for engineering work the previous night, and the train was the first to cross the line after the re-opening of one line.

A statement by the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) stated the barriers were in the raised position and the road traffic warning lights were not showing.

A car approaching from the south on Ufton Lane, had to stop suddenly to avoid colliding with the train.

Preliminary investigations have found that the person controlling the crossing had not received any instruction to lower the barriers before the train arrived.

The RAIB will examine the arrangements for re-opening the railway to normal train services, particularly the workload on signallers and the arrangements for operating trains in both directions on the same line. It will also examine staff competence and fitness.

A report will be published, including any recommendations to improve safety, at the conclusion of its investigation.

Russell Spink, a spokesman for Network Rail, said: “We are cooperating fully with the RAIB, which is carrying out an investigation into the circumstances surrounding this incident.”

In 2004 the crossing was the scene of a fatal collision which occurred after Brian Drysdale, of Reading, deliberately parked his car across the unmanned half-barrier level-crossing and awaited the oncoming high-speed 17:35 First Great Western Paddington to Plymouth train.

The car driver, train driver and five passengers died in the crash, which left 200 others with injuries.