A rail accident investigation has concluded that a passenger train’s collision with an agricultural trailer at a Herefordshire level crossing last year was caused by signaller error.
The report, published this week by the Rail Accident Investigation Branch, examined the crash at Nordan Farm user worked crossing near Leominster on May 22, 2025.
The incident happened shortly after 10.30am when a passenger train travelling between Ludlow and Leominster struck a trailer being towed across the railway line by a tractor.
Investigators said the train was travelling at around 80mph when it collided with the agricultural vehicle on the Down Main line.
Six passengers and one member of railway staff suffered minor injuries in the crash. Although the train remained on the tracks, significant damage was caused to both the front carriage and the trailer.
RAIB found the accident occurred after the signaller mistakenly gave the tractor driver permission to cross despite the approaching train being nearby.
According to the report, the signaller had forgotten about the train’s presence and failed to check signalling equipment designed to indicate approaching rail traffic before authorising use of the crossing.
Investigators said the error may have been influenced by an interruption to the signaller’s normal routine, increased workload, distraction and fatigue.
The report also highlighted wider concerns over the safety of passive user-worked crossings, where there are no automated barriers, warning systems or engineered protections for users.
At Nordan Farm crossing, safe operation relied entirely on the signaller deciding whether it was safe for vehicles to cross the line.
RAIB said Network Rail had failed to properly identify and manage heightened risks linked to seasonal spikes in agricultural traffic at some rural crossings.
Investigators also found the company lacked a consistent process for determining whether vehicles using crossings should be classified as 'large, low or slow moving', a factor which can affect safety procedures.
The watchdog has issued two recommendations to Network Rail aimed at strengthening risk management at crossings with fluctuating seasonal use and improving guidance for signallers assessing agricultural and slow-moving vehicles.
Four additional learning points were also issued, including reminders for railway staff to follow mobile phone and fatigue reporting policies, and for signallers to use all available warning systems and safety procedures when authorising crossings.
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