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14
Jul
Witnesses to Knaresborough station van crash urged to come forward
A police investigation is underway after a van crashed into barriers at Knaresborough train station last week.
British Transport Police said officers are investigating the incident, which happened at around 6.30am on July 10, when a van rolled down a hill and broke through the level crossing barriers.
The vehicle, which police said had not been parked correctly, then crashed into the signal box and got stuck on the tracks.
The barrier was catapulted on to the tracks and the vehicle appeared to sustain significant damage.
When the Stray Ferret went to the scene, Network Rail staff had removed the van from the tracks and were working to reopen the lines.
British Transport Police believes several people witnessed the incident and urged anyone who saw it to come forward.
In a statement, the force said:
Anyone who witnessed the incident or has information is asked to contact BTP by texting 61016 or by calling 0800 40 50 40, quoting reference 79 of 10 July.
Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
The van crashed into the signal box.
The incident caused major disruption to trains between Harrogate, York and Leeds, with nine services fully cancelled, 14 partially cancelled at 11 delayed.
Cllr Matt Walker, who represents Knaresborough West on North Yorkshire Council, praised the police and Network Rail for their quick response.
However, he said the crash was not the first of its kind and called for a review into safety measures at the station:
Network Rail and the police should be thanked for their quick response and getting the trains back and running with minimal disruption.
It appears to have been a freak accident but I will let the police carry out their investigation. From the eye-witness account I’ve been given from a resident it’s a miracle that there wasn’t more damage and no one killed.
It’s not the first time we’ve had a car crash into the station. Network Rail need to review the safety arrangements at the station.
But Network Rail told the Stray Ferret a safety review would not be carried out.
A spokesperson said on Thursday:
The new barriers at Knaresborough will be like-for-like replacements. There are no plans to review this or change other barriers following today’s incident.
Level crossing barriers are there to act as a physical divide but are not designed to prevent an incursion onto the railway line.
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