Plea for barriers as train hits van on crossing

Published on Saturday 9 January 2010 19:04

A FRESH plea for safety barriers to be installed at level crossings was made yesterday after a man was injured when a train crashed into a van.

The van driver had to be cut free following the collision at the crossing on the B874 at Halkirk in Caithness at about 11:45am.

Three people were killed at another level crossing nearby when a train hit a car in September last year.

Northern Constabulary said five passengers and three train staff were on board the Inverness to Wick service when yesterday's accident took place. No-one on the train was hurt.

The van driver was taken to Caithness General Hospital with "minor injuries".

Angus MacKay and his wife Margaret, both 81 and from Inverness, died when the car they were in was involved in an accident at a level crossing in Halkirk last September.

MacKay's brother, Donald, 66, from Latheron, Caithness, was a front-seat passenger in the car. He was also killed in the crash at the unmanned crossing, which has warning lights but no barriers.

Following that, politicians called for barriers to be installed at open level crossings.

SNP MSP Dave Thompson yesterday said he was "very concerned to hear there has been another accident at an open level crossing in the Highlands".

The Highlands and Islands MSP added: "This goes to show that this type of accident will continue to keep happening until barriers are installed for the safety of motorists, rail staff and train passengers."

Thompson said more than 2,500 people had now backed his call for safety barriers after he launched a consultation on the issue last month.