Sam’s phone warned him his music was too loud before he was hit
Sam’s phone warned him his music was too loud before he was hit
A man died after he was hit by an oncoming train while out on a run, an inquest heard. Sam Dudley was out for a run in Formby on the morning of August 24 last year.
Sam had been wearing headphones and at 11.07am that day he was hit by a train at a level crossing in Formby known locally as Hoggs Hill level crossing. Before getting to the tracks, there is signage and a traffic light which shows red or green depending on whether a train is approaching.
When a train approaches the crossing, the light flashes red and a siren will sound. As the 29-year-old ran onto the tracks, the light had flashed and the klaxon had sounded, with CCTV showing Sam run onto the track before appearing immediately shocked when he sees the train.
When Sam’s phone was recovered it had been showing a warning that his music was too loud.
According to a prevention of future death report published on February 10 following the conclusion of Sam’s inquest on February 3, Sam can be seen attempting to jump backwards but it was too late.
An investigation revealed Sam had entered the track through the level crossing using the pedestrian gate while the red light and klaxon were on. After the gate there is further there is signage warning of oncoming trains.
Senior coroner Anita Bhardwaj states in the report the “crossing was safe, compliant, and operating as designed” and there “were no causal or contributory failings identified in the inspection, maintenance, or management of the crossing”.
Ms Bhardwaj said: “It is more likely than not that Sam did not hear the klaxon because he was running whilst listening to loud music through his headphones.
“In all the circumstances it is more likely than not Sam was distracted, not fully attentive and proceeded onto the track.”
Despite this, the senior coroner for Sefton, St Helens and Knowsley, found matters of concern following her investigation.
In her report, she said: “Nationally there is signage once individuals pass through the gate, but there is limited signage on the gate itself as people enter the walkway, only a short distance from the ‘decision point’.
“Increasingly, more people wear earphones and are therefore less aware of their surroundings. Introducing clear pictorial signage on the gate, before individuals enter the ‘decision point’ area, such as an image of earphones with a line through them, may help alert users at the right moment.
“Visual cues generally attract initial attention more effectively and support rapid comprehension, while sound cues tend to create a stronger emotional connection.
“However, using both visual and auditory cues may together provide a more effective form of communication.”
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