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Level crossing victim David Brown was a 'good lad'
By Hugh Fort & Alice MurphyMarch 15, 2010
Tributes have been paid to ‘big character’ David Brown who died when his car was hit by a train on a level crossing.
Mr Brown, 58, of Nine Mile Ride in Finchampstead, died at the Waterloo Road crossing in Wokingham on Saturday, March 6.
Level crossing victim named as David Brown
Kevin Richardson, who worked with Mr Brown at The MOT Centre, in Amen Corner, Binfield, said: “He was a big character.
“He was here for four or five years and was really good at his job.
“He was a good lad who liked having a laugh.
“It’s a big work area here and quite often you didn’t see him for a while, but he seemed like a really nice bloke.”
A message on our website from his sister-in-law Anne said: “Dave was my brother in law for 40 years.
“Loved by Anne, Andy (Spike) and uncle to Kerrie Anne xxxxxxxxxxx”.
Mr Brown leaves behind wife Marilyn.
There were more than 100 passengers on the train but no-one was injured.
Waterloo Road level crossing death 'not suspicious'
Carol-Anne Davies, 21, of Didcot, was on the train with her husband, Kevin, and children Kaylum, five, Jacob, three, and 15-month-old William.
She said: “I keep hearing the Tannoy announcement going over in my head.
“The driver tooted his horn then slammed on the brakes and the train came to a stop sharply.
“Then he said he was very sorry to announce we had struck a car on the level crossing. He sounded very, very shocked.”
She added: “Your children are the most precious thing and you don’t want them to get harmed.
“As soon as you hear about a train crash you always think about derailment. I keep thinking, ‘what if the train had hit the car differently?”
The crash has put the safety of the crossing under the spotlight, as it is the second death there in two years.
Last Monday, the Priest Avenue Residents’ Association held a planned meeting to discuss the impact of a 2,500-home development in south Wokingham, which could include closing the Waterloo Road level crossing.
Paul Major, chairman, said: “We’ve done a poll of residents around Priest Avenue and 88 per cent are in favour of the closure.
“The councillors mentioned the accident at the meeting but said it was not appropriate to talk about the crossing because the details aren’t known.”
Gary Purser, of Waterloo Road, was at home when the crash happened.
He said: “We heard a great big bang come from the direction of the crossing.
“We went to have a look and saw the train had hit a car a bit further down the track.”
Passengers had to wait on the train for two hours while paramedics, police officers and firefighters worked at the scene.
Mrs Davies praised the actions of the guard who, after checking no-one on board was injured, patrolled the train to monitor passengers’ welfare.
Anyone with information can call British Transport Police on 0800 405 040.
Did you know Mr Brown? Leave your tributes below.
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