Woman, 82, killed by train despite horn warning

An 82-year-old woman with hearing issues was killed when she was struck by a train at a level crossing, despite the driver sounding their horn.

Shirley Pope, 82, was walking her dog at Pewsey footpath crossing in Wiltshire when she was struck by a Great Western Railway train travelling at 93mph (154km) on 26 February 2025.

In a report by the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB), data from the train shows the driver sounded their warning horn once when passing a whistle board, which is designed to warn pedestrians of approaching trains.

Upon seeing her, the driver sounded the horn repeatedly, but Pope, who was hard of hearing, had made the decision to enter the crossing.

The RAIB report said: "Evidence suggests that the pedestrian may not have heard the train's warning horn when making this decision because it was not clearly audible to them.

"This was based on the likely effects of the pedestrian's hearing loss, the reduction in sound level of the warning horn over the distance between the whistle board and the crossing, which was longer than permitted by Network Rail's guidance, and the level of environmental noise near the crossing."

Pope was prescribed hearing aids for both of her ears.

At the time of the accident, she was wearing a hearing aid in her right ear only. Her left ear was closest to the train.

The report said she was also wearing a woollen hat, which likely covered her ears.

The RAIB also found Network Rail had temporarily closed access to an alternative route, normally used by the pensioner, which would have avoided her having to use the level crossing.

After entering the crossing, and seeing the approaching train, Pope continued to cross into the train's path, the report said, adding it was unclear why she did this.

The RAIB also identified other underlying factors that may have contributed to the accident, such as the operator failing to effectively mitigate risks at footpath crossings with whistle boards to users with hearing loss, or who are deaf.

Following the investigation, the RAIB made six recommendations to Network Rail.

It said the recommendations intended to identify appropriate risk mitigations for whistle boards, to control risks to users with hearing loss, and to review the continued use of whistle boards at footpath crossings.

It also suggested the rail operator considered the wider safety impact of closing public rights of way when making decisions around managing assets.

In addition, the report identified three learning points focused on understanding and compliance with relevant standards and guidance and effective communication around incidents.

A spokesperson for Network Rail said: "Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences remain with Ms Pope's loved ones and the local community.

"We continue to recognise the profound impact this tragic loss has had."

The spokesperson said Network Rail welcomed the findings of the RAIB report and is acting on all of its recommendations to help prevent future tragedies.

These actions include "introducing additional level crossing management resource, strengthening independent assurance and oversight, and standardising how risk assessments are carried out across the route".

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