Rail inquiry finds design flaws led to fatal van collision

The Rail Accident Investigation Branch has identified a design flaw in manual railway crossings that directly contributed to the death of a delivery driver. The report states that the traffic light system at the site misled the driver into believing it was safe to enter the tracks, even though the exit gate remained closed. This finding highlights a systemic risk in a type of infrastructure that inspectors described as a 19th-century concept operating in a modern world of dense rail services.

Brandon Hatcher, 23, of Ashford, Kent, died in July 2025 when a Southeastern passenger train struck his van at the Bax crossing near Teynham. Hatcher was self-employed and working for GG Logistix, a logistics company delivering Amazon parcels. The investigation determined that while signs instructed users to check for a green light before opening gates, the visual cues failed to account for how drivers would interpret the sequence of operations.

According to the report, Hatcher drove his van onto the tracks after opening the entry gate. He parked his vehicle across most of the track just as the lights turned red and alarms signaled an approaching train. The driver attempted to open the exit gate but did not succeed on the first try. While returning to his van door, he was struck by the train, which was traveling at 90 mph. The driver of the train applied emergency brakes but could not avoid the impact. Three passengers on the train reported minor injuries.

The inquiry found that the signage redesign implemented in recent years did not adequately consider how different information sources influence user behavior. It also concluded that the training provided to Hatcher had not prepared him to use the crossing safely. Andrew Hall, the chief inspector of rail accidents, noted that a train can be derailed by striking a delivery van, meaning both recent accidents could have had severe consequences for those aboard.

The risk is not isolated to this single incident. A second delivery driver, Simon Gettings, 55, was killed in August 2025 when hit by a Northern train at a manual crossing in Lancashire. The circumstances of Gettings' death remain under investigation. Hall urged the rail industry and the Department for Transport to mitigate the obvious risk of further tragedy before another fatal collision occurs.

Network Rail and the Department for Transport have been called upon to review the design, laws, and guidance surrounding these private user worked crossings. The rail regulator, ORR, stated it would ensure lessons are learned to protect crossing users, passengers, and railway staff. David Davidson, chief operating officer for South Eastern Railway, said the company has already altered the site layout and published a toolkit with guidance for professional drivers.

The investigation recommends that the industry move beyond the traditional manual gate model, which most road users are unfamiliar with. Davidson added that his team will study the report’s recommendations closely and continue working with partners to prevent similar accidents. The focus remains on updating infrastructure and guidance to match the current reality of frequent home deliveries and faster rail networks.