Dad 'listening to music' killed by train at level crossing

A father of three was killed by a train at a level crossing in Nottinghamshire - because he was distracted by his music, a court was told.

Phil Dawn, 34, from Kirkby-in-Ashfield, Notts, cycled onto the King's Mill level crossing, near Mansfield, despite the train driver sounding his horn and two passersby shouting warnings at him.

According to the Express, Thomas Butler and Grant Pinhold both tried to stop Mr Dawn from riding over the crossing.

But it is thought he did not hear the warnings because he was wearing earphones.

Assistant Deputy Coroner Jane Gillespie recorded a verdict of accidental death, and said Mr Dawn was probably distracted by music.

According to This Is Nottinghamshire, she said: "I find in balance that Mr Dawn didn't hear the shouts or the horn.

"Despite the sounding of the horn, he didn't react, flinch, or divert from the path, let along look at the direction of the train," she said.

"Sadly I'm driven to the view that the single most important aspect in this case was the behaviour of Mr Dawn himself."

After the verdict, Mr Dawn's sister, Tracy Hart described Philip as "a loving, caring son, father, brother, partner and friend".

She told This Is Nottinghamshire: "The reality is that all crossings by their very nature are dangerous and that the public should keep this at the forefront of their mind when using crossings. We would not want any other families to experience such a horrifying tragedy."

But she added: "The verdict of accidental death was expected but the family are disappointed that following the acceptance of Network Rail of a need for a bridge prior to the accident, that it failed to implement any interim safety measures such as a reduction in speed."

A Network Rail spokesman said the site had been one of many in the East Midlands to undergo an early feasibility study "to establish if it is physically possible to construct a bridge".

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