A DRIVER has been fined for failing to correctly use a level crossing.

Steven Morris, 27, of Fell Brow, Longridge, drove his truck across Green Lane level crossing near Knaresborough station on Monday, March 5, and ignored safety instructions, narrowly avoiding being struck by a Northern train travelling at 65mph.

He appeared before West Yorkshire Magistrates’ court on October 1, and admitted a charge of endangering safety on the railway. He was ordered to pay a £415 fine, £41 victim surcharge and costs totalling £85.

PC Dave Knox from British Transport Police, said: "Morris’s dangerous actions could have had fatal consequences, he was extremely lucky that his car wasn’t struck by the Northern service. If it had, I am confident he would have lost his life.

"People who misuse level crossings fail to realise the consequence of their actions, and that we will actively investigate and bring offenders before the courts. Please never take the risk, the warning signs are there for a reason."