Crash driver did not see train

Anthony Watling, 43, woke up at the side of the track minutes after the crash which de-railed the 18.35 Brighton to Portsmouth service and wrecked his van.

Chichester Crown Court heard the damage to the carriages and rails cost Railtrack an estimated £1.14 million to repair.

Two weeks after the smash on February 14, 2001, Watling told police he had not seen the train as it came at 55mph towards his van on the unmanned crossing at Old Salts Farm Road, Lancing.

He said: "I class myself as a good driver. If the train had its lights on, I did not see them."

Watling told police he and colleague Aaramateo Duggan had loaded the Fiat Ducato van with second-hand electrical appliances from a storage barn before driving to the level crossing.

He said: "Mr Duggan was walking in front of me. He opened the gate. I got out to give him a hand.

"He said 'Don't worry, I can do it'. He went to the train line and looked up and down.

"I looked to the left and right. There was nothing, so I drove across.

"I was negotiating the gate when I heard an almighty bang.

"The next thing I knew, I came round on the track-side. I thought the train had gone straight through the van.

"When I was laid on the track I saw pieces of my van but I did not see a train.

"Everyone was lucky that night. I think I must have been blessed."

Keys to the crossing are held by tradesmen and farmers.

Watling, of Owlbeech Way, Lancing, denies endangering the safety of train passengers and obstructing a train.

He told police: "It does not matter who's fault it is. No one died and we should be looking at making it a safer crossing.

"Whatever way you look at it, the driver hit me that night."

Health and safety inspector Paul Appleton said there was no reason for Watling not to have seen the train on the dead straight line.

He said Railtrack had not introduced more safety features at Old Salts Farm Road because of the cost.

The trial continues.