Burscough level crossing collision kills one man

A man has died following a collision between a train and a van at a level crossing in Burscough, West Lancashire. The incident occurred at approximately 3:00 PM on August 29, involving a Northern train traveling from Southport to Manchester.

British Transport Police, paramedics, and the fire service attended the scene. The driver of the van was pronounced dead at the scene, while two passengers on the train received treatment for minor injuries. The incident is not being treated as suspicious.

The crossing involved is a user-worked crossing with miniature stop lights, which Network Rail categorizes as having a ‘high individual risk’ and a ‘very high collective risk’. Local residents have reported that the crossing gates are sometimes left open.

An investigation into the circumstances of the collision is being conducted by the British Transport Police, Network Rail, and the Rail Accident Investigation Board. The collision caused significant rail disruptions between Wigan Wallgate and Southport.