An investigation has found that a collision involving a passenger train in Herefordshire happened because a signaller gave a tractor driver permission to use a level crossing when it was not safe.
At around 10:37am on May 22 2025, a passenger train collided with an agricultural trailer being towed across the railway at Nordan Farm user worked crossing, in Herefordshire. The train was travelling on the Down Main line between Ludlow and Leominster at around 80 mph (129 km/h) when the accident occurred.
Police confirmed there were 66 passengers on board the train travelling from Manchester to Cardiff at the time of the collision. Six passengers and one member of staff received minor injuries. The train did not derail, but significant damage was caused to the leading vehicle of the train and to the agricultural trailer.
View 3 ImagesThe train was not derailed but several of the 66 passengers on board the Manchester-to-Cardiff train suffered minor injuries(Image: Joseph Walshe / SWNS)
The cause of the collision
According to a new report published by the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) the accident happened because the signaller gave permission to the tractor’s driver to use the crossing, despite the proximity of the approaching train.
The signaller had forgotten about the presence of the train when they gave permission and did not check signal box equipment which was indicating the presence of the train beforehand, as they had been trained to. The signaller’s actions may have been affected by an interruption to their established routine for giving users permission to use the crossing, an increase in their workload, distraction and the effects of fatigue.
As Nordan Farm level crossing is a passive user worked crossing, it has no engineered safeguards to warn or protect a crossing user of an approaching train and safe operation is solely reliant on the signaller’s decision as to whether it is safe to cross or not.
RAIB found that Network Rail’s level crossing risk assessment process did not effectively recognise nor control the higher risk present at some crossings during intensive seasonal use. This was an underlying factor. RAIB also found that Network Rail did not have a coherent process for deciding whether a vehicle using a user worked crossing should be considered as large, low or slow moving. This was a possible underlying factor.
View 3 ImagesThe scene of the collision where a passenger train crashed into a tractor and trailer near to Nordan Farm, in Leominster(Image: SWNS)
Recommendations
The RAIB has made two recommendations to Network Rail based on the results of its findings.
The first seeks to improve the effectiveness of risk management processes at crossings that see a high variance of use across the year. The second asks Network Rail to consider the actions it took in response to a previous RAIB recommendation and is aimed at assisting signallers and crossing users in deciding whether a vehicle should be treated as large, low or slow moving.
A spokesperson for Network Rail told the BBC the company was committed to learning from the incident. They said: “Safety remains our highest priority for both passengers and our colleagues, and we have fully supported the independent investigation,” they said.
“Our thoughts remain with everyone affected by this incident. While incidents of this nature are rare, it’s vital we understand exactly what happened and where we can do better. We are carefully considering the report’s findings and recommendations.”
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The Mirror has contacted Network Rail for further comment.