NETWORK Rail has been asked to review the safety of level crossings nationally after an Ulverston man died when his car was struck by a train.

Jonathon Crabtree, 41, was killed instantly on November 3, 2008 when the 09.37 Carlisle to Lancaster train hit his Mitsubishi Carisma on Wraysholme level crossing, Flookburgh.

At the moment, warning signs flash to alert motorists and pedestrians to an oncoming train, but a Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) report concluded that Mr Crabtree, who worked as a handyman at Lakeland Leisure Park, Flookburgh, may not have seen the warning signs because of sunlight.

When the accident happened the sun was reported to have been ‘low and bright in the sky’.

The RAIB has now recommended that Network Rail revises its inspection process to identify crossings that may face similar problems and, where necessary, make improvements.

No-one else was seriously injured in the accident and Mr Crabtree’s two dogs, which were in the back of his car, were rescued by fire crews.

It was the second major incident on the crossing last year.

In February two men were taken to hospital with serious injuries after their Land Rover 4x4 was hit by a passenger train.

The accidents prompted locals to call for barriers to be fitted on the site.

Since November, Network Rail has repositioned the flashing lights to make them visible from further away.

Longer hoods have also been fitted to shade the lamps, which have been replaced with brighter light emitting diode (LED) lights.

Stuart Wilson, of Wyke Farm, Allithwaite, told The Westmorland Gazette that he did not think the current precautions were enough to stop another accident happ-ening again.

A spokesman for Network Rail said it was looking into the report’s recommendations.

An inquest into Mr Crabtree’s death will open before a jury on Tuesday, October 20.