Last updated at 08:35, Thursday, 06 November 2008

FRIENDS and colleagues have paid tribute to a hard-working and popular man who was killed in a train crash at a level crossing.

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John Crabtree, 41, of Ulverston, died on Monday afternoon when his red Mitsubishi Carisma was crushed by the 9.27am Carlisle to Lancaster train at Wraysholme level crossing, near Flookburgh.

Passengers on the two-coach Northern Rail train felt the car being dragged under the train for a distance of 300 yards when it hit the car, at 12.38pm. The train remained upright and did not derail.

Paramedics arrived but Mr Crabtree was pronounced dead at the scene.

Neither the train driver nor any of the 32 passengers were injured.

Mr Crabtree worked as a handyman at Lakeland Leisure Park, Flookburgh.

Steve Wright, general manager at the park, said: “We are all devastated about the news of John, he was a very popular and hard-working member of our team.

“Our thoughts are with the family at this time.”

A man who lived with Mr Crabtree two years ago described his former housemate as a quiet but well-liked man.

The resident of Alexander Road, Ulverston, who did not wish to be named, said: “JC was a man who was quiet and kept himself to himself, the best way to be really.

“He was well-liked and a lot of people are saddened by what happened.”

Mr Crabtree’s two dogs were rescued from the boot of his car, and escaped from the accident unhurt. The accident on Tuesday was the second this year at Wraysholme, which has led to calls for a barrier to be placed along the crossing.

Two men were injured in February when they drove their Land Rover Discovery across the track. Network Rail concluded that accident was a result of misuse of a level crossing.

A spokesman for Network Rail explained yesterday that a risk assessment on the suitability of the open level crossing would take place and the incident was still being investigated by the Rail Accident Investigation Branch.

Keith Lumley, spokesman for Network Rail, said: “We carried out a risk assessment in February and it was decided that the open level crossing was perfectly safe.

“Now we have had a second incident we will revisit the risk assessment and look to see if anything can be done.”

Early indications have suggested Mr Crabtree had driven over the crossing while the lights were flashing.

Simon Lubin, spokesman for British Transport Police, said: “He seems to have driven across the crossing as the warning lights began flashing, according to two witnesses.”

First published at 11:48, Wednesday, 05 November 2008
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk