The Rail Accident Investigation Branch yesterday (Thursday 7 May) released its report into an incident where a pedestrian was struck by a train at Pewsey footpath crossing, Wiltshire, in February last year.

The incident took place at about 13:56 on 26 February 2025. A passenger train struck and fatally injured a pedestrian using the Pewsey footpath crossing in Wiltshire. The train was travelling at about 93 mph (154 km/h).

The train’s driver sounded the warning horn near the whistle boards at the location, and repeatedly sounded the horn to give the pedestrian an urgent warning.

However, the pedestrian, who had hearing loss, probably did not hear the warning horn and was not aware that the train was approaching.

The sound level of the horn reduced over the distance between the whistle board and the crossing, which was longer than Network Rail’s guidance allows.

Once the pedestrian became aware of the train approaching, he continued to cross, perhaps because he had limited time to make a decision as to the safest course of action.

RAIB also reported that Network Rail had temporarily closed access to the route that the pedestrian usually took, which did not involve using the level crossing.

RAIB believes that Network Rail’s control framework for footpath crossings fitted with whistle boards did not sufficiently assess and control the risks presented by them.

In addition, Network Rail did not effectively mitigate the risks to users with hearing impairment, or who are deaf, as well as to the general public.

RAIB has made six recommendations to Network Rail. These are intended to ensure that risks are assessed and mitigated at sites where whistle boards may be unsuitable, that risks to hearing-impaired users are controlled effectively, and that there is a review of the use of whistle boards at footpath crossings. The report also recommends that Network Rail aligns its level crossing standards with its wider standards and control management framework, as well as aligning its assurance of crossing risk assessments with other assurance activities. Finally, the report recommends that Network Rail considers the wider safety impact of closing public rights of way.

In addition to the recommendations, RAIB has identified three learning points. The first is that staff responsible for assessing and reviewing risk at level crossings understand and follow the relevant standards and guidance. The second is a recognition of the importance of communicating information about incidents to the staff who carry out post-accident testing of rail vehicles. The third learning point is that Network Rail takes opportunities to comply with relevant standards when working on infrastructure modifications.

The RAIB investigates accidents on the railway, including on tram systems.