Report 12/2026: Collision between a passenger train and a van at Bax level crossing
Collision between a passenger train and a van at Bax level crossing, 13 July 2025.
Summary
At around 12:42 on 13 July 2025, a passenger train travelling from Ramsgate to London Victoria collided with a stationary delivery van on Bax user worked crossing near Teynham in Kent. The train was travelling at approximately 71 mph (114 km/h) when the accident occurred. The driver of the van was fatally injured.
Bax user worked crossing has outward opening gates to either side of the railway and is fitted with an overlay miniature stop light system, which shows a green light if no trains are approaching. This will change to show a red light, and an audible warning will sound, once a train is detected approaching the crossing. The correct operation of the crossing is described by signs. These instruct users to check that a green light is showing before opening both gates, before crossing with a vehicle, and again before closing both gates.
RAIB’s investigation found that the van was stationary on the level crossing because the green light shown by the miniature stop light system when the delivery driver arrived almost certainly led them to believe that it was safe to enter the crossing once the entry gate had been opened, despite the exit gate still being closed. RAIB also found that the signage at the crossing and the lack of road markings did not effectively guide the delivery driver to use the correct crossing procedure.
Underlying factors were that a project to develop and implement new signage for use at private crossings, such as Bax, did not sufficiently consider how diverse information sources may influence crossing user behaviour. In addition, RAIB found that, once Network Rail had fitted miniature stop lights at a crossing, it became unlikely that further upgrades would take place, and reliance on signs being understood and obeyed remained essential for safe crossing usage. RAIB also found that the training and guidance provided to the delivery driver, who was self-employed but working on behalf of a logistics company, had not prepared them to use the crossing safely.
Although not linked to the accident on 13 July 2025, RAIB observed differing interpretations of the concept of an authorised user within railway processes for identifying and assessing risk at level crossings.
Recommendations
RAIB has made four recommendations. The first is addressed to Network Rail and asks for a review of the design of user worked crossings to reduce risk to users. This is supported by the second recommendation, which asks the Department for Transport, working in consultation with the Office of Rail and Road and relevant rail industry bodies in Great Britain, to update the framework of legal requirements, and guidance to road users relating to user worked level crossings. The third is addressed to the Health and Safety Executive, to review guidance to organisations employing people to drive or ride for work, or engaging self-employed people to do so, on the safe use of user worked crossings. The fourth asks Network Rail to review the concept of the role of authorised users in the guidance it provides to its staff.
Statement from Andrew Hall, Chief Inspector of Rail Accidents:
“This report explains the factors that led to the death of a delivery van driver at Bax user worked level crossing in Kent in July 2025 and makes recommendations to reduce the chance of a similar accident happening again. In August 2026, another delivery van driver was killed at a user worked crossing in Lancashire. These deaths are a tragedy, but as a train can be derailed by striking a delivery van, both accidents could also have had serious consequences for the people on board.
“Private user worked crossings are a 19th century concept operating in a 21st century world of more dense, faster rail services, more rural housing and abundant home deliveries. Most road users are unfamiliar with this type of crossing and with how to use them safely.
“A delivery van driver was also seriously injured in October 2017, at Frognal Farm user worked crossing in Kent. When RAIB published its report in August 2018, my predecessor wrote:
“I believe that the vital lesson from this investigation is how important it is that each user worked crossing is managed in a way that takes into account the context in which it is being used, and the needs and expectations of the people who may encounter it in the course of their everyday business. It is time for a fresh approach to this problem, for the sake of crossing users, train passengers and railway staff, who are all at risk.”
“Eight years later, I urge the rail industry duty holders, the domestic delivery industry, the Office of Rail and Road, and the Department for Transport to find effective ways to mitigate this obvious risk before there is further tragedy.”