Train driver who cheated death after crashing into tree during Storm Gerrit ‘should have been warned about hazard’

A TRAIN driver who cheated death during Storm Gerrit when his locomotive hit a tree should have been told of the hazard, it's been claimed.

Sources say locals alerted Network Rail ten minutes before the horror smash after spotting the trunk blocking the line at Broughty Ferry, near Dundee, on Wednesday.

But the company failed to warn the ScotRail Intercity 125 driver.

It is understood that once a call is received, signal staff can make an emergency broadcast to tell trains to stop or slow down while they investigate the report.

But the driver had to take a “split-second decision” which saved his life as he dived behind his seat while the train hit the tree at up to 70mph.

Pictures show the cab almost ripped in two.

Incredibly eye-witnesses reported the driver walking uninjured through the train afterwards.

And no passengers were reported to have been injured.

A source told The Scottish Sun: “A member of the public had contacted Network Rail ten minutes before the accident — but they failed to pass on this information to the driver.

“The tree was hanging across the line at the driver’s eye level.

Luckily, the driver made a split- second decision that saved his life when he jumped to the ground.”

Last night Network Rail and the Rail Accident Investigation Branch confirmed they were probing the horrifying smash.

The RAIB said: “We are in the process of gathering information about the circumstances of this incident.

"This will be reviewed by the Branch and the appropriate course of action decided in the coming days.”

A Network Rail spokesman said: “Safety is our top priority, and we are actively reviewing this incident.”

David Lister, ScotRail safety, engineering and sustainability director, added: “The safety of our customers and our staff is our absolute priority, and we only operate trains that meet the stringent safety requirements expected of our fleet.

“We have already met with rail union Aslef to discuss their concerns regarding high speed trains, and further meetings are being planned.”

We previously told how Scots were plunged weather hell after Storm Gerritt to brought an unholy trinity of torrential rain, monstrous winds and heavy snow.