Investigators have found that railway crossing signs were not clear after a train hit a van that was on a track near Welshpool.

The driver suffered serious, life affecting injuries from the collision which happened on June 22, last year at Smiths Lower Cefn user-worked crossing (UWC).

Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) concluded that the accident happened because the van driver did not call the signaller in control of the crossing to get permission to cross, before doing so.

Their investigation found that the information on the signs at the crossing were "not clear and concise and unfamiliar users could misunderstand the instructions".

A preliminary examination report said: "RAIB consider that it is possible that the far side gate of the crossing began to swing back as the van crossed, causing the driver to stop and attempt to get out of the van while it was still foul of the line.

"RAIB have not been able to determine with certainty why he did not call. The van driver was unfamiliar with the crossing, and with user worked crossings in general.

"RAIB considers that it is probably the case that the van driver also did not read some, or all of the instructions on the signage at the crossing, prior to using it.

"Of particular relevance to the accident at Smiths Lower Cefn UWC was RAIB’s finding that the requirement to stop and call the signaller could be overlooked as it was not present in the numbered list of instructions lower down the sign."

Investigators have decided not to carry out any further investigation of the accident.