# ‘Obvious risk of further tragedy’ at rail crossing type at which Amazon driver died, inquiry finds

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/obvious-risk-of-further-tragedy-at-rail-crossing-type-at-which-amazon-driver-died-inquiry-finds/
- Published: 2026-11-09T13:43:57+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-09T14:03:43+00:00
- Original publisher: The Guardian (publisher lean: Left)
- Original article: https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/nov/09/amazon-driver-died-inquiry-manually-operated-level-crossing-kent
- Topics: Business, World

## Key points

- Inspectors called for an overhaul of manually operated level crossings.
- A delivery driver was killed at a Kent crossing last July.
- Investigators said signs and training may not prepare drivers safely.

## Summary

An official investigation has called for a review of manually operated railway crossings after delivery driver Brandon Hatcher was killed at one in Kent. Inspectors said the crossing’s lights and signs may have led him to think it was safe to enter before opening the exit gate, warning of an obvious risk of another tragedy.

Hatcher, 23, was struck by a passenger train travelling at 90mph at Bax crossing near Teynham in July last year; three passengers suffered minor injuries. The investigation found his delivery training had not prepared him to use the crossing safely and urged Network Rail and the Department for Transport to review its design, rules and guidance. A second delivery driver was killed at a similar crossing in Lancashire in August, and that death is still under investigation.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.