INCIDENT: Moreton-on-Lugg MCB, Herefordshire 16/01/10

**updated 21/01/10*


A woman died and a man was seriously injured when a passenger train struck a car on a barrier crossing in Herefordshire. A second car was also involved in the incident.

Jane Harding died after being airlifted to hospital from the scene of the accident at Moreton-on-Lugg, Hereforshire.

Some passengers and crew of the Manchester Piccadilly to Milford Haven service were treated for shock. The train did not derail.

The crossing is controlled by a nearby signal box. It has been reported that the barriers were raised at the time of the incident. A statement from British Transport Police noted that "a thorough safety check of the level crossing was undertaken on Sunday and it was found to be in working order."

Police and Network Rail continue to investigate the cause of the crash. The Rail Accident Investigation Branch have launched an
investigation and have so far determined that there is "no evidence that the actions of the motorists or the driving of the train contributed to the accident".

In a statement released on 21st January, Network Rail say they have issued a "full and complete apology" to Jane Harding's family, saying that they consider the accident "is most likely to have been due in some way to Network Rail".



Photo (c) BBC