Dogs killed after being hit by train at level crossing
Police are appealing for information after dogs were killed when they were hit by a train at a level crossing in Saxilby.
The fox hounds (in file photo above) were thought to have been part of a hunt and it is believed two died as they ran back and forth across tracks as a train crossed the bridge over Sykes Lane in the village.
Shortly after 2pm, on Wednesday December 3 last year an East Midlands train travelling at around 65mph between Lincoln and Doncaster crossed the bridge over Sykes Lane.
The driver had noticed movement ahead of the train at the crossing and as it got to around a couple of hundred metres away he was able to see there were dogs on the track. He applied the emergency brakes and sounded the trains horn continuously.
There were around 20 dogs, perhaps more, running back and forth across the tracks. Some of the dogs ran towards the train, several dogs were between the rails and some ran to the sides of the train. It is understood there was a horse rider, maybe connected to a hunt, seen nearby.
The train came to a stop just after the crossing, but it is not known if one or two dogs were killed.
The Investigating Officer, PC Card, from the Rural and Wildlife Crime Team, British Transport Police, is appealing for witnesses or information relating to the incident. Anyone with any information is asked to contact him by email at