Probe after third death on Wirral Line in three years

Nov 18 2009 by Lorna Hughes, Heswall News

Probe after third death on Wirral Line in three years

A MAN died after being hit by a train in Hoylake on Tuesday morning.

The man, who has not been named, died following the incident at the crossing at Carlton Lane in Hoylake, between Meols and Manor Road stations.

He was hit by an empty passenger train at the rural crossing just after 6.20am.

His death is the third at crossings between Manor Road and West Kirby in three years.

Jean Wilson and her dog were killed at Sandringham Avenue crossing in July 2007 and Clive Hanlon died in January 2008 at Melrose Avenue.

A spokesman for the British Transport Police said: “We can confirm a male died at the location.

“Enquiries are on-going to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.

“It is not being treated as suspicious and we are appealing for any witnesses.”

The empty passenger train was on its way to West Kirby from Kirkdale Depot to begin the day’s service.

Keith Lumley of Network Rail said: “The driver reported that his train had struck someone on a pedestrian crossing at Carlton Lane.

“It’s an occupation crossing, which usually services farms and rural places.

“There was considerable disruption to trains on that line and it was 8.05am by the time the services were on the move again.

“An investigation will be carried out to find out what happened.”