Train brakes to avoid man on line at Plumpton

A potential fatality was averted at Plumpton this morning (Tuesday, October 1) when a train driver had to brake suddenly to avoid an engineer on the line.
The Eastbourne line at PlumptonThe Eastbourne line at Plumpton
The Eastbourne line at Plumpton

The incident involved the 9.10am Haywards Heath to Eastbourne service.

Reg Stone, who lives in Plumpton, said: “The train came to a halt just beyond the rail gates, narrowly missing workers on the track.”

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A spokesman for train operator Southern said: “It has been reported that the train braked sharply shortly after leaving the station as a precaution as it appeared that an engineer working on the track was closer to the train than was comfortable.

He added: “No-one was injured and the train continued its journey shortly after stopping.”

The spokesman described the incident as “minor” but Mr Stone said the incident had happened so close to the crossing that it had raised fears over Network Rail’s plans to replace the manned Victorian Crossing Gates with unmanned barriers controlled from Three Bridges.