Video: Sussex level crossing careless driver Andrew Bryant

Andrew Bryant was just seconds away from having his black Volkswagen crushed at the railway in Sussex.

The 51-year-old went through the closing barriers, then slammed on his brakes just before a train went past.

The heart-in-mouth moment was captured on CCTV and showed how Bryant’s car was about a yard away from the passing train.

At Hastings Magistrates’ Court, he admitted careless driving at a level crossing.

Video footage showed the moment careless driver Andrew Bryant narrowly escaped being crushed by a train in his Volkswagen at a level crossing in Sussex

The court heard how the incident happened at the Star Level crossing at East Guldeford near Rye in November last year.

The barrier from the level crossing had come down onto the roof of the car.

Footage showed Bryant at first attempting to back up, before he then got out of the car.

A huge Network Rail freight train then passed by, with the Volkswagen stranded.

The court heard how the red lights at the crossing had been flashing for 5.9 seconds and the amber lights had been flashing for 2.9 seconds.

Bryant cleared the stop line but was worryingly close to the passing train.

It sparked fears about the number of near misses from errant drivers not driving carefully or sensibly at level crossings in Sussex.

Network Rail issued a public alert to remind motorists to stay alert, and level crossing manager Toby Broyad said it was lucky that Bryant was not injured.

He said: “This is a sobering reminder of the dangers of drivers not being alert when driving, and not following the Highway Code.

“We are investing heavily in ‘Red Light Safety Cameras’ and while luckily no-one was injured in this incident, the police will prosecute drivers who take a risk at level crossings, not just with their own lives but with the safety of our staff and passengers.

Video footage showed the moment careless driver Andrew Bryant narrowly escaped being crushed by a train in his Volkswagen at a level crossing in Sussex

“Many of our level crossings now have safety enforcement cameras and they risk a fine and points on their license should they ignore the warnings and safety of others.”

Network Rail said the incident near Rye showed the dangers of not paying attention on the road.

Drivers should watch for red lights and stop when the lights start flashing at level crossing barriers.

They should not attempt to cross the railway.

Network Rail said: “A driver in a Volkswagen car ignored the flashing red lights stopping just short of the railway line from Rye to Ashford and within the level crossing boundary.

“The barriers then came down on the car and the driver decided not to proceed over the railway, or to exit the crossing area for his own safety.

“A freight train then came through the level crossing at speed with the driver and his vehicle just feet away.

Video footage showed the moment careless driver Andrew Bryant narrowly escaped being crushed by a train in his Volkswagen at a level crossing in Sussex

“Most automatic half-barrier level crossings in Sussex have safety enforcement cameras fitted with the remaining crossings due to have cameras installed soon.”

Bryant, of Terrace Road, St Leonards, admitted careless driving and was fined £892.

Magistrate Jeremy Betts also ordered him to pay an £89 surcharge and £85 costs. Five points were added to Bryant’s driving licence.

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