Lorry driver ploughs through level crossing, knocking gate off

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Moment reckless lorry driver ploughs through closing level crossing barriers and pulls one gate off its hinges

  • The incident happened in Manningtree, Essex at 3pm on July 24 causing delays 
  • Video shows driver ignoring the red light and speeding across the level crossing
  • Drivers who break the law on level crossings face a £60 fine and penalty points

By Clare Mccarthy For Mailonline

Published: | Updated:

This is the moment a lorry driver foolishly attempted to clear a level crossing as the barriers fell, shearing one gate off its hinges.

The footage was shared online by rail operators after the incident caused widespread disruption to trains and road traffic in the area.  

Footage shows the the barriers begin to close as the lorry approaches the level crossing.

CCTV footage shows the lorry approaching the level crossing at Manningtree in Essex last Friday

Although the barrier is beginning to lower, the driver speeds up and attempts to clear the crossing

Although the barrier is beginning to lower, the driver speeds up and attempts to clear the crossing

The lorry collides with the gate and rips it off its hinges. Drivers who ignore the laws on level crossings face a £60 fine

The lorry collides with the gate and rips it off its hinges. Drivers who ignore the laws on level crossings face a £60 fine

The incident caused widespread delays on the rails and roads of Essex until later that evening as the barriers were repaired by Network Rail

The incident caused widespread delays on the rails and roads of Essex until later that evening as the barriers were repaired by Network Rail

The law on level crossings – Highway code

According to the Highway Code for level crossings: 

  • You MUST always obey the flashing red stop lights.
  • You MUST stop behind the white line across the road.
  • Keep going if you have already crossed the white line when the amber light comes on.
  • Do not reverse onto or over a controlled crossing.
  • You MUST wait if a train goes by and the red lights continue to flash. This means another train will be passing soon.
  • Only cross when the lights go off and barriers open.
  • Never zig-zag around half-barriers, they lower automatically because a train is approaching.
  • At crossings where there are no barriers, a train is approaching when the lights show.

Instead of slowing down at the red light, the lorry driver takes a gamble and speeds up through the closing barriers. 

A large bang can be heard as the lorry collides with the far gate and rips it off its hinges.   

The drama unfolded near Manningtree Station, just before 3pm, with a road closed until 6.45pm whilst the barrier was repaired.

A spokesman for Network Rail said: ‘I apologise to those affected and understand how frustrating this disruption is, especially as we approach home time on a Friday.

‘It is vital that we make the level crossing safe for everyone before re-opening the road.’

Both barriers had to be fixed and one was pulled from its hinges after being hit by the Mammoet ferry transport lorry.

After the video was released by Network Rail, locals called on police to take action and slammed the driver. 

To improve safety and catch motorists who break the law, cameras are installed at level crossings across the UK aimed at catching drivers who jump the red light. 

Drivers like this one who ignore the red light and break the law face a £60 fine and penalty points on their licence. 

However, if the police deem the driving offence to be more serious, they could be taken to court and face far more serious punishments.  

British Transport Police confirmed that a 47-year-old man has been reported for consideration of prosecution in relation to the incident at the level crossing in Manningtree, Essex. 

Mail Online has approached haulage firm Mammoet for comment.