Brandon Hatcher, 23, an Amazon delivery driver from Ashford, Kent, died at the Bax crossing near Teynham after his van was struck by a passenger train traveling at 90mph in July last year. The train was traveling from Ramsgate to London when the collision occurred. Three train passengers sustained minor injuries in the incident.
According to an investigation by the Rail Accident Investigation Branch, Hatcher drove his van onto the tracks after the entry gate opened, but did not realize the exit gate also needed to be opened before proceeding. The traffic light system at the crossing appears to have given him the false impression that entry was safe once the initial gate opened. After becoming stuck on the tracks, he attempted to open the exit gate but was returning to his vehicle when the train came into view 300 meters away. The train driver applied emergency braking but could not prevent the collision.
Investigators found that signage at the crossing, which had been redesigned in recent years, did not adequately account for how road users interpret multiple information sources. The report noted that Hatcher, who was self-employed while working for logistics company GG Logistix, had not received sufficient training to safely navigate this type of crossing. Safety inspectors emphasized an “obvious risk of further tragedy,” noting that a second fatal incident involving a delivery driver at a manual crossing in Lancashire in August remains under investigation.
Rail authorities have been urged to conduct a comprehensive review of the design, laws, and guidance surrounding manually operated level crossings. Officials noted that such crossings represent a 19th-century system now operating in a modern environment with denser rail services, increased rural housing, and expanded delivery operations. Most road users are unfamiliar with proper procedures for these crossings, according to investigation findings.
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