| Re: Coroner's safety call after runner's death at Formby crossing - 24 Aug 2025 Posted by ChrisB at 20:28, 23rd February 2026 |     |
I'm sure that would have been done as part of the initial report that the BTP would have prepared for the Coroner.
| Re: Coroner's safety call after runner's death at Formby crossing - 24 Aug 2025 Posted by bobm at 20:11, 23rd February 2026 | |
It probably is worth checking the signage and indications are as good as they can be. While headphones may have been the cause here there are people who are deaf or hard of hearing. Similarly those who are blind or have less than perfect eyesight.
| Re: Coroner's safety call after runner's death at Formby crossing - 24 Aug 2025 Posted by Western Pathfinder at 19:23, 23rd February 2026 | |
Let’s take a moment to spare a thought for the driver .
| Re: Coroner's safety call after runner's death at Formby crossing - 24 Aug 2025 Posted by Electric train at 16:00, 23rd February 2026 | |
If he had run in front of an HGV on a road the Corner would probably would have recorded its as a death by misadventure.
It's unlikely the person would heed signage especially if its on a regular route he ran.
My sympathies go to his family and friends and it is always a sad day when someone is killed on the railways, but there is only so much that can reasonably be done to protect people from their own negligence
| Re: Coroner's safety call after runner's death at Formby crossing - 24 Aug 2025 Posted by ChrisB at 11:58, 23rd February 2026 | |
I have no problem with 'reviewing' - that should be happening regardless of events.
What I do have - and I believe Bob may agree - is with the Coroner's 'instruction', regardless of reason & cause.
And in this case, "don't wear earbuds playing loud music whilst out running" would be an instruction to those in danger that would achieve 100% safety as to this cause of danger. All an instruction like this one to Network Rail will achieve would be the closure of that crossing, likely with no substitution as no money available.
| Re: Coroner's safety call after runner's death at Formby crossing - 24 Aug 2025 Posted by grahame at 09:51, 23rd February 2026 | |
Not for the first time a completely unnecessary death which is entirely down to the actions of the deceased is followed by calls, and in some cases such as this instructions, to the rail industry to somehow rectify the perceived problem.
Whatever happened to common sense and personal responsibility?
Whatever happened to common sense and personal responsibility?
Yes - BUT - things are only common sense if you think about them. How many times have I been told something and thought "that makes sense" but I wouldn't thought of it otherwise?
There is sense in reviewing how the rail industry handles all safety issues - both before and after near misses, injuries and deaths. Not for the rail industry to take the blame for 'actions of individuals', but never the less the industry should review and make appropriate mitigations as it continues to learn; it needs to do so as individual's habits changed over the years.
| Re: Coroner's safety call after runner's death at Formby crossing - 24 Aug 2025 Posted by Bob_Blakey at 08:10, 23rd February 2026 | |
Not for the first time a completely unnecessary death which is entirely down to the actions of the deceased is followed by calls, and in some cases such as this instructions, to the rail industry to somehow rectify the perceived problem.
Whatever happened to common sense and personal responsibility?
| Coroner's safety call after runner's death at Formby crossing - 24 Aug 2025 Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 15:39, 22nd February 2026 | |
From the BBC:
Rail signs call after runner's death at crossing
A coroner has called for better signs at level crossings after a runner listening to music died when he was hit by a train.
Sam Dudley died while jogging in Formby, Merseyside, on 24 August.
The klaxon siren and red light were in operation at Hoggs Hill Level Crossing and CCTV footage showed he appeared shocked at the sight of the train and tried to jump backwards.
Investigators found the 29-year-old had been listening to music on his mobile phone, which displayed a warning that the sound was too loud.
Anita Bhardwaj, senior coroner for Sefton, said the crossing had been "safe, compliant and operating as designed", adding it was "more likely than not that Sam did not hear the klaxon".
Following an inquest into his death, she concluded: "In my opinion, there is a risk that future deaths could occur unless action is taken." The coroner added that "increasingly, more people wear earphones and are therefore less aware of their surroundings".
She said visual signs on the approach to level crossings should be improved to prevent further accidents. "Visual cues generally attract initial attention more effectively and support rapid comprehension, while sound cues tend to create a stronger emotional connection," she said.
Network Rail, as the operator, is obliged to respond to her report by 31 March with details and a timetable of plans for action.
A coroner has called for better signs at level crossings after a runner listening to music died when he was hit by a train.
Sam Dudley died while jogging in Formby, Merseyside, on 24 August.
The klaxon siren and red light were in operation at Hoggs Hill Level Crossing and CCTV footage showed he appeared shocked at the sight of the train and tried to jump backwards.
Investigators found the 29-year-old had been listening to music on his mobile phone, which displayed a warning that the sound was too loud.
Anita Bhardwaj, senior coroner for Sefton, said the crossing had been "safe, compliant and operating as designed", adding it was "more likely than not that Sam did not hear the klaxon".
Following an inquest into his death, she concluded: "In my opinion, there is a risk that future deaths could occur unless action is taken." The coroner added that "increasingly, more people wear earphones and are therefore less aware of their surroundings".
She said visual signs on the approach to level crossings should be improved to prevent further accidents. "Visual cues generally attract initial attention more effectively and support rapid comprehension, while sound cues tend to create a stronger emotional connection," she said.
Network Rail, as the operator, is obliged to respond to her report by 31 March with details and a timetable of plans for action.
