Amazon said it is 'deeply saddened' after a delivery driver died when his van was struck by a train at a railway crossing in Kent. The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) published a report today into the incident, which also called for four changes to improve safety at so-called 'user worked' crossings.
Driver killed at Bax crossing
Brandon Hatcher, 23, from Ashford in Kent, was delivering Amazon parcels while working for a logistics company when the incident happened. The RAIB report said the van was on the crossing when a passenger train travelling at about 71mph from Ramsgate to London Victoria collided with it on July 13 last year at 12.42pm.
Mr Hatcher died in the incident. Rail investigators said the accident could have had 'serious consequences' for passengers on the train. They also noted that another delivery driver died this year in a similar incident.
19th century crossing design
The crossing near Teynham in Kent involves the use of two gates to get from one side to the other, and both are supposed to be opened before crossing. However, the report said Mr Hatcher had driven the van onto the crossing after opening the first gate, with the intention of then opening the second.
The report described the technology as a 19th century model that most people do not know how to use. Another delivery driver was killed at a similar crossing in August this year.
Amazon called the incident at the Bax crossing 'tragic'. A spokesman said: "We are deeply saddened by this tragic incident, and our thoughts remain with Brandon's family and loved ones. We supported the Rail Accident Investigation Branch throughout its work and will consider its findings carefully."
Four recommendations issued
The RAIB said signs at the crossing and the lack of road markings 'did not effectively guide the delivery driver to use the correct crossing procedure'. It has now called for four changes as it issued recommendations to UK officials in a bid to prevent such accidents happening in the future.
- A review of the design of so-called 'user worked' crossings to reduce risk to users.
- An updated framework of legal requirements, and guidance to road users relating to 'user worked' level crossings.
- A review of guidance to organisations that employ people to drive or ride for work, or engage self-employed people to do so, over the safe use of 'user worked' crossings.
- Network Rail to review the concept of the role of authorised users in the guidance it gives to its staff.
Andrew Hall, Chief Inspector of Rail Accidents, said: "This report explains the factors that led to the death of a delivery van driver at Bax user worked level crossing in Kent in July 2025 and makes recommendations to reduce the chance of a similar accident happening again. In August 2026, another delivery van driver was killed at a user worked crossing in Lancashire. These deaths are a tragedy, but as a train can be derailed by striking a delivery van, both accidents could also have had serious consequences for the people on board.
"Private user worked crossings are a 19th century concept operating in a 21st century world of more dense, faster rail services, more rural housing and abundant home deliveries. Most road users are unfamiliar with this type of crossing and with how to use them safely.
"A delivery van driver was also seriously injured in October 2017, at Frognal Farm user worked crossing in Kent. When RAIB published its report in August 2018, my predecessor wrote: 'I believe that the vital lesson from this investigation is how important it is that each user worked crossing is managed in a way that takes into account the context in which it is being used, and the needs and expectations of the people who may encounter it in the course of their everyday business. It is time for a fresh approach to this problem, for the sake of crossing users, train passengers and railway staff, who are all at risk.'
"Eight years later, I urge the rail industry duty holders, the domestic delivery industry, the Office of Rail and Road, and the Department for Transport to find effective ways to mitigate this obvious risk before there is further tragedy."
