Boy And Grandmother Killed At Rail Crossing

A seven-year-old autistic boy and his grandmother have died after they were hit by a train at a railway crossing, prompting calls for urgent improvements to the area.

Jean Hoggart, 56, and Mikey Dawson were struck by the Worksop to Nottingham service in Bestwood Village, Nottinghamshire, on Saturday evening.

Local county councillor Chris Baron said the pedestrian-only crossing had been "an accident waiting to happen".

Sherwood MP Paddy Tipping also said there had been a long-running campaign to improve lighting at the site, which has an unlocked gate which leads from the path to the crossing.

According to residents of the area, pedestrians have to walk across uneven planks that are covered with a roof-felt-type material that when wet, is slippery.

Also the crossing is protected with simple wooden gates and signs warning: "Stop, look, listen".

Cllr Baron said he would be contacting his officers at Nottinghamshire County Council to try and get the crossing improved.

He said: "It's a mixture of East Midlands trains and Railtrack and I believe they have a responsibility and duty to ensure pedestrians have a safe route across the tracks.

"If you look at it with the lack of lighting, together with the dog-legged crossing, this was an accident waiting to happen."

Network Rail is responsible for the up-keep and management of railway crossings. However, it is unclear if it is entirely in charge of maintaining the crossing where Mrs Hoggart and her grandson died.

A Network rail spokesman said: they would be carrying out a "full investigation".

The spokesman added: "If we were to rebuild the entire railway network from scratch then we wouldn't have any level crossings on the railway because of the risk associated with them but they are safe if used correctly."

(JM)