Fox hounds hit by train at Saxilby level crossing
Fox hounds have died as they ran back and forth across tracks as a train crossed the bridge over Sykes Lane, Saxilby.
Shortly after 2pm, on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, an East Midlands train travelling between Lincoln and Doncaster crossed the bridge over Sykes Lane at Saxilby; the train was travelling at an approximate speed of 65mph.
The driver had noticed movement ahead of the train at the crossing.
As the train got closer, maybe a couple of hundred metres away, the driver 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, maybe 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.
The dogs were fox hounds and it is understood there was a horse rider, maybe connected to a hunt, seen nearby.
One, maybe two dogs were hit by the train and the train came to a stop just after the crossing.
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, including any information as to who owns the dogs, is asked to contact PC Card by email at [email protected] or by calling 0774 160 4628.