Urgent rescue operation launched after elderly man falls on train tracks as barriers lowered

An elderly man fell on train tracks as barriers were coming down at a level crossing sparking a massive rescue operation.

The victim had been walking on the crossing in Hull, East Yorkshire, when he suddenly tumbled over as the alarm started blaring out to warn cars of an incoming train. Several people jumped into action to help save him as he landed on the tracks. The selfless heroes clambered over the lowered barrier as they feared he was at risk of being hit by the incoming train. One witness described the heart-stopping moment they saw the elderly man fall.

Witness Karl Shannon told HullLive: “I saw the warning signal had come on and the gates were going to shut and I could see an elderly gentleman struggling to cross the crossing.

“I thought, ‘He’s not going to make it’. With that, he tripped over and fell on the train tracks just as the gate was coming down. The poor gentleman was laid on the train tracks with both gates down. He was unable to get back to his feet.”

Despite the heroic actions taken by the people at the crossing, Network Rail confirmed there was no real danger as signallers watch for potential dangers and alert approaching trains of obstructions.

Network Rail said pedestrians must not panic when the alarms sound and said trains will only pass when level crossings are clear. In its latest rail safety report, the Office of Rail and Road said there were six fatalities at level crossings in the period April 2022 to March 2023.

Last year the company put out a safety warning for people to be aware of crossing safety. It said: “Britain’s railways are one of the safest in the world – but if people deliberately miss level crossings or become distracted when using them… (they) can be lethal. It can be frustrating having to wait at level crossings, but they’re activated for the shortest time possible.

“Sadly, too many people get into danger – they don’t stay alert, or they deliberately risk their lives and the lives of others by ignoring the safety warnings. That’s why we’re closing level crossings where we can, or upgrading them to make them safer if that’s not possible.”