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The moment a catastrophic rail accident was averted at the last second was shown in court today. The footage shows a City Link delivery van just inches away from being slammed into by a train on a level crossing when the driver accelerates out of danger at the last second. The driver did not see the warning signals at the level crossing and drove out into the path of the speeding train.
At the last minute, the horrified driver sees the train bearing down on him and hits the accelerator, just managing to avert disaster. The driver involved in the near-miss in Bugle, Cornwall, Alan Borman, 60, was accused of dangerous driving, but told police that his view of the railway tracks was blocked by trees and other footage and he had not seen or heard the warning signals. The train’s driver, Jonathan Beale told the court that during his 26-year career he had experienced “close shaves” but none as close a miss as Borman’s van.
Borman’s defence, Nigel Hall, told the court how his “smart driving” averted a disaster: “”He chose to floor it and clear the crossing; some may say that was pretty heroic. That was smart driving, he is not at fault for doing what he did. Mr Borman avoided a catastrophe.”
Jurors at Truro Crown Court cleared Mr Borman was dangerous driving, but convicted him of careless driving. Mr Borman was fined £100, ordered to pay £105 in costs and a £20 victim surcharge and had five penalty points put on his licence, which Recorder Malcolm Gibney said should allow Borman to keep his job as a delivery driver. However, his employers have not said whether they plan to terminate Borman’s employment or retain him.