Report on the Accident that occurred on 15th February 1969 at Catholme Level Crossing in the London Midland Region British Railways

"On a clear cold day, a farm tractor towing a trailer loaded with about two and a half tons of manure approached the crossing from the Down side (east of the railway) as a diesel hauled Class 7 coal train was also approaching the crossing on the Down line. The tractor had passed through the gate and stopped a few feet from the line where it came into the view of the Wichnor Junction signalman in his signalbox about 40 yards south of the crossing. Misunderstanding the signalman's urgent hand signal not to cross the line the tractor driver drove on immediately the coal train had cleared the crossing, and into the path of a three-car diesel multiple-unit passenger train crossing the other way. The passenger train which was travelling at about 60 m.p.h. hit the middle of the trailer and was completely derailed, ending up with the leading car upside-down and the other two cars across both lines on their sides, some 160 yards beyond the crossing.

The signalman, immediately protected the lines and called the emergency services. The police arrived 12 minutes after the accident, and the Fire and Ambulance services 2 minutes later, at 13.52. Of the twenty passengers, all travelling in the rear of the train eight were taken to Burton General Hospital suffering from minor injuries or shock, and all had left the scene of the accident by 14.20; but the driver who received multiple injuries, including two broken legs, was the only casualty to be detained."

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