Tractor driver hit by Abellio Greater Anglia train at 84mph while crossing railway near Thetford had permission to do so

The train crash at Roudham level crossing near Thetford. (Image: Archant)

At 12.30pm on April 11 an Abellio Greater Anglia train travelling from Norwich to Cambridge collided with the tractor, which was towing a trailer, at Hockham Road level crossing, which is in a private road near Thetford.

The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) is an independent organisation which seeks to establish why railway accidents happen and issues safety recommendations. It does not apportion blame.

A bulletin released on the RAIB’s website has said the driver of the tractor had been given permission to cross the railway.

“Vehicle users must open and close the crossing gates themselves, and at the time of the accident they had to use the telephone to obtain permission from a signaller at Cambridge, before going over the crossing,” the bulletin said.

Emergency and investigation teams at Roudham after a train hit a tractor on a level crossing and the passengers were led to safety down he tracks. PHOTO BY SIMON FINLAY (Image: ARCHANT NORFOLK)

“The tractor driver was given permission to cross the line, and had reached the mid-point of the crossing when his vehicle was struck by train 1K77, the 12.03pm Norwich to Cambridge service, which was travelling at 84 mph (135 km/h).”

The bulletin added red and green lights indicating to crossing users if it was safe to go over the railway, which had been installed in 2012, had been “intentionally decommissioned” at the time of the crash.

There were 135 passengers and two crew members on the train, which did not derail but came to a stand 410metres beyond the crossing.

The tractor driver was seriously injured and the vehicle itself destroyed. The train suffered several broken windows and other serious body damage.

The train driver and at least seven passengers suffered minor injuries.

The RAIB bulletin added: “Our investigation will identify the sequence of events that led to the accident. It will also consider: Any factors which may have influenced the actions of the people involved; the method of authorising vehicles to use the crossing; the history of the crossing equipment; the performance of the train during the collision; any underlying management factors.”

A spokesman for Network Rail, which owns the railway infrastructure and employees signallers, said: “Network Rail is co-operating fully with the British Transport Police, the Office of Rail and Road and the Rail Accident Investigation Branch while an investigation into the incident continues and our thoughts are with the tractor driver and his family.

“As is standard after a serious incident, a member of staff has been transferred from safety-critical duties while the incident is investigated.

“The safety of those who use or live near the railway is of paramount importance to us, but whilst the incident remains under investigation it wouldn’t be right to go into further detail just now.”

An Abellio Greater Anglia spokesperson said: “We are cooperating fully with the RAIB investigation, along with the parallel investigations by Network Rail, the British Transport Police and the Office of Rail and Road Regulation.”