Exclusive: My miracle escape, by train crash driver

A 72-year-old man has spoken of his miracle escape after his van was hit by a train travelling at 60mph.

Handyman Alan Saunders was in his red Volkswagen at the crossing at Bathampton when it was hit by the commuter train yesterday morning.

Mr Saunders, who lives in the village, said he had driven on to the track after the light at the crossing signalled for him to go.

He then got out of his vehicle to open the gate on the other side. But when he got back into his van the train, which was carrying 16 passengers, struck his bonnet.

Mr Saunders said he felt lucky to be alive.

“I thought the light was on so I drove forward,” he said. “I can’t believe this happened.”

He escaped unhurt and no one on the train was injured in the accident at the Glasses Occupational Crossing in Tyning Lane.

British Transport Police said the train, a South West Trains 08.50 Bristol Temple Meads to Salisbury service, was not seriously damaged.

Mr Saunders, who was on his way to visit a friend at the farm on the other side of the crossing when the accident happened, was arrested soon after the incident on suspicion of dangerous driving.

He was later released on police bail.

Services between Bath Spa and Westbury stations were disrupted, with coaches replacing trains for a while.

Police officers, Avon Fire and Rescue Service and two Great Western ambulances were called to the scene along with a rapid response vehicle following a 999 call.

Once the line had been made safe, ambulance staff went on board the train, accompanied by a member of the fire crew.

Mr Saunders declined hospital treatment.

The line is a two-track one and both lines were reopened about two hours later after the smash.

Jackie Cryer, of neighbouring farm the Skillings, which is close to the collision site, rushed out to help.

She said: “I didn’t see it happen but I heard it.

“I heard the train hooter and then there was just a big bang.

“I was in the living room and I rushed out to see if anyone was hurt. There was someone else from another farm already there too.

“The police, fire and ambulance were all here very quickly but luckily no one was hurt.”

The Glasses crossing is regularly used by dog walkers and traffic travelling through Bathampton.

Inspector Barry Dalby, of the British Transport Police, said a full investigation would be carried out into the crash.

The owner of Bathampton Home Farm, Matt McKillop, whose farm entrance is by the crossing, said he had raised concerns about the light signal in the past.

He said it was often unclear when motorists could cross.

Mr McKillop, who Mr Saunders was on his way to visit at the time of the accident, said: “The light is very unclear on the crossing and when the sun is shining you can’t see whether it is on or off.

“Alan thought the light was on so he drove through.

“There should be two lights at the crossing and all we want is a red and a green one instead of one that's white.

“Although I am not aware of any previous accidents it was always a potential risk.”

But the chairman of Bathampton Parish Council, Tony McCann, said he was not concerned about the crossing and thought it was well managed by Network Rail.

He said: “No reports have been made about the safety of the crossing and to my knowledge Network Rail changes the bulbs very regularly.

“This is the first incident at the crossing and I am very pleased no one was hurt.”

A spokeswoman for Network Rail said the incident was being investigated.

She said: “Our initial findings demonstrate that our level crossing was working perfectly.

“When the matter has been reviewed we can look into the cause of the problem and look at the safety of the lights.

“We would like to assure every one that level crossings are very safe if they are used properly and 95 per cent of incidents are caused by misuse.”

Network Rail is running a campaign to make sure level crossings are used safely and correctly.

Don't Run the Risk involves a national TV advertising campaign, which highlights the importance of level crossing safety.

It comes after more than 2,000 pedestrians and motorists were reported to have risked their lives at a level crossing – 150 in the south west – so far this year.