Dramatic account of 4X4 Spooner Row level crossing smash

Vivienne Johnson was standing outside her house next to the crossing at Spooner Row when the pickup truck sped through the barrier, sending bits of the vehicle and gate flying through the air.

The truck did not stop and police are still searching for the driver. Officers believe he had just driven off from the nearby Boars pub after an argument there.

Mrs Johnson said: “I was saying goodbye to some friends with my husband and my friends were literally about to cross the road.

"Suddenly the car smashed through the barriers and bits went flying and nearly hit him as the car just zoomed off up the road.

"It was like something out of a movie and we were all mystified."

Mrs Johnson's husband raised the alarm on the crossing's emergency phone.

This ensured the train slowed down before it hit the debris left at the scene and was able to pass at a very slow speed.

She added: "We quickly dragged the other barrier off to clear it after the train passed because my husband already telephoned so the train passed really slowly."

Viv Johnson pictured with the last remaining debris outside of her home (Image: Bruno Brown)

The incident happened on Saturday evening just after 7pm.

Police returned on Monday to collect the number plate of the truck - believed to be a Ford Ranger - which had ended up in a neighbour's garden.

"The debris was incredible, we still really can't believe what had happened and it is just a miracle that nobody was hurt," Mrs Johnson said.

"Either one of us literally could have been flattened or smacked by flying debris, it was coincidental timing but simply just extraordinary," she added.

READ MORE: WATCH: Pickup truck destroys train barriers after pub row

She has lived next to the crossing for 15 years and has 'adopted' the next door station, meaning she and her husband maintain it.The damaged barrier removed to the side of the road following the incident (Image: Submitted)

The Boars Pub at Spooner Row (Image: Sonya Duncan)

Witnesses said they saw the driver of the vehicle embroiled in an argument at the pub before abruptly leaving and getting behind the wheel of the truck.

READ MORE: Mother's Day stabbing: Victim's partner was attacked days earlier

The level crossing has since been repaired with no further disruption for road or rail users.

Police closed the road while they clear up the mess after the incident, pictured in the aftermath of the incident (Image: Viv Johnson)British Transport Police officers are investigating the incident and have begun appealing for witnesses. 

Anyone with information is asked to contact BTP by texting 61016 or by calling 0800 40 50 40, quoting reference 485 of 06/03/2024.

The last of the debris beside the road (Image: Bruno Brown)