Tractor driver asked for permission to cross before being hit by train

THE TRANSPORT FOR WALES TRAIN WAS TRAVELLING BETWEEN MANCHESTER AND CARDIFF WHEN IT COLLIDED WITH AN AGRICULTURAL TRAILER BEING TOWED BY A TRACTOR AT A LEVEL CROSSING 22:06, 05 Jun 2025 A

tractor driver who was hit by a train while crossing a railway line had reportedly asked for permission to cross, an investigation suggests. The incident occurred at the Nordan Farm level

crossing near Leominster at 10.37am on May 22, when a Transport for Wales train travelling between Manchester and Cardiff collided with the agricultural trailer being towed by the tractor.

Despite the collision, the train did not derail and continued for another 500m before coming to a halt with the trailer still attached to its front. Miraculously, the tractor driver escaped

unscathed from the incident, but six passengers on the train suffered minor injuries. Two of those injured were taken to hospital and later discharged. The Rail Accident Investigation Branch

(RAIB) is currently conducting an investigation into the incident, reports Wales Online. In a report released on Wednesday detailing its initial findings, the RAIB found that it appears the

tractor driver followed normal protocol by making a telephone call to the signaller to ask if it was safe to cross using the telephones provided beside the railway line. Article continues

below The Nordan Farm crossing is frequently used by drivers of agricultural vehicles. A farmer's tractor was smashed by a train hurtling at 80mph just moments after crossing the

tracks, an investigation has found. The RAIB revealed: "Nordan Farm user worked crossing is fitted with telephones. Users are directed by signs at the crossing to use the telephones to

obtain permission from the signaller before opening the crossing gates and crossing the railway. "The evidence available to RAIB shows that the driver of the tractor involved in this

accident telephoned the signaller before using the crossing." The report further noted: "RAIB's initial analysis indicates that the train was travelling at around 80mph when

it struck the trailer." Following the smash, the trailer detached from the tractor and got stuck on the front of the train, which continued for about 500m under braking before halting.

The ongoing probe aims to piece together the events leading up to the crash and figure out the missteps that caused the mishap. The collision wreaked havoc on the train, trailer, track,

lineside gear, and another level crossing past Nordan Farm. The rail network suffered over 24 hours of chaos, with services between Hereford and Shrewsbury disrupted post-crash. Article

continues below In connection with the incident, British Transport Police arrested a 32-year-old man who was later released while they investigate further.