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12 March, 2010
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Published: 13 August, 2009
AN enquiry has been launched following a near disaster at the Dalchalm level crossing on the north side of Brora. The rear of a local authority bin lorry which was making its way over the railway crossing was clipped by the Inverness to Wick train. The accident happened around 1.10pm last Friday and no-one was injured. The Dalchalm crossing, located around half a mile north of Brora Station, is "open" and has no barriers. Instead motorists are warned by flashing lights and a klaxon when a train is expected. Emergency services reached the incident within minutes. The 48 passengers had to remain on board the train for two hours before it returned to Brora Station where buses were waiting to take them to their destinations. A spokesman for Network Rail said an enquiry would be carried out involving the Rail Accident Investigation Board, Northern Constabulary and the British Transport Police. He said: "The level crossing infrastructure was working at the time of the accident. There was only minor damage to the train and it was not derailed. There was no injuries to anyone on board. A spokesman for the Highland Council said that the authority would be helping to investigate the cause of the accident. Meanwhile HIE SNP MP Dave Thompson has called for crossings throughout the county to be re-examined following the accident. "We have many of these crossings in the Highlands and I am hoping some good will come of this," he said. But North MSP Rob Gibson said safety could only be improved when users of the crossings were vigilant. 
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