A tragic incident occurred at a level crossing in Burton Joyce, Nottinghamshire, where 14-year-old Josh Travis, a former Nottingham Forest academy goalkeeper, lost his life after being struck by a train. Nottingham Forest paid tribute to Josh with a minute’s silence in his memory.
Reports indicate that the rail crossing, where the accident took place, has long been a concern due to safety issues, with no warning lights or alarms present. Pedestrians are left to assess the safety of crossing the tracks themselves.
The crossing, situated on the Nottingham to Lincoln line, witnesses a high volume of train traffic, approximately 70 trains passing through daily at high speeds. Numerous requests have been made in the past to have the crossing shut down, with the most recent application submitted the day before Josh’s tragic death.
Just a day before the fatal incident, rail authorities had applied to close the crossing, citing public safety concerns. Network Rail had sought the closure due to misuse of the crossing and previous near-miss incidents with trains.
Network Rail’s application for an emergency closure was approved by Nottingham County Council following the tragic event, with the level crossing temporarily shut down for public safety reasons.
Residents in the area shared accounts of multiple near misses at the crossing, including an incident involving actor Mat Horne in 2018. Mat Horne, known for his role in Gavin and Stacey, narrowly escaped injury after being clipped by a train at the same level crossing.
The Rail Accident Investigation Branch has initiated an investigation following Josh’s tragic death, leading to the temporary closure of the crossing. Network Rail’s efforts to address safety concerns include installing new gates and enhancing the crossing’s safety features.
Recent incidents at the crossing, captured in footage released by Network Rail, showed risky behavior by individuals, including trespassing on the tracks and engaging in dangerous activities. Calls for permanent closure or alternative safety measures have been voiced by locals.
In a heartfelt statement, Josh’s family described him as a vibrant young man full of life, with a warm smile and a loving heart. Floral tributes and poignant memorabilia have been left near the crossing in honor of Josh’s memory.
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