Train smash farmer cleared

A Shropshire farmer who survived after a train travelling at 60mph smashed into his tractor at a level crossing has been cleared of both dangerous and careless driving.

Steven Butler, 25, of Weston Rhyn, Oswestry, had denied dangerous driving, and an alternative charge of careless driving, after the incident on July 19 last year.

Earlier Mr Butler, giving evidence in his own defence, told how he had used the level crossing at Weston Rhyn near Oswestry hundreds of times.

He approached the crossing at no more than 15mph and slowed right down to four, five or six miles an hour because the crossing was rough for a tractor and trailer.

Mr Butler said he was well used to the crossing but that day did not see amber or red flashing lights and heard no alarm.

He got on to the crossing, saw the barrier on the other side of the crossing come down then the barrier on his side, trapping him.

He reversed to try to get off the crossing, hoping to break the barrier.

"I could not get any further back and I looked to the right and saw a train coming around the corner," he said.

Despite his tractor being smashed to pieces Mr Butler escaped with cuts and bruises. None of the 17 passengers and two staff on the Arriva train was injured.

The defence called a number of witnesses who described the level crossing as troublesome and claimed that they had suffered near-misses while travelling over it.

After the court case, Mr Butler's parents, Jim and Joyce Butler said: "We are ecstatic about the verdict but cannot comment on the court proceedings.

"We want to pay tribute to the emergency services and the people of Rhosweil who came to Steven's aid on that day."

By Sue Austin