JUST hours after two men were killed in the horrific collision at Great Coates' railway crossing, pedestrians were seen dicing with death on the same track.
The British Transport Police had to break off from their investigations in the immediate aftermath of the crash and give chase to three men taking a short cut across the tracks, it has been revealed.
Later, a youth with a bicycle also crossed the track seconds before a train passed.
Seemingly oblivious to the carnage of just hours before, two men aged between 30 and 40 crossed the track from Great Coates with bikes and headed over the fields towards the A180 at 8am seconds before a train passed.
They were chased by a British Transport Police (BTP) officer and spoken to.
Just an hour later, another man, aged between 25 and 30, also walked across in the same direction. He, too, was dealt with.
And later on that day, a teenage cyclist was caught on camera attempting to cross – just a minute before a train passed through.
The shocking behaviour has been revealed exactly a week after Paul Hodge and David Williams lost their lives when a train crashed into their car on the level crossing.
Today, Mr Williams' "devastated" family – who live in the Plymouth area – said the 40-year-old's death had left a huge hole that can never be filled.
"David's death came as a total shock," they said. "The shock is unreal. It was a terrible, terrible accident.
"There's going to be a big space without him now. It's just so final. We are absolutely devastated."
David leaves behind his mum Shirley Williams and his brothers and sisters Mandy Williams, Robert Leggett, Joanne Pollard, Kathryn Williams and Thomas Williams.
He also leaves behind Carla, his daughter, stepmum Sue, his nan Margaret Young and a number of aunties, uncles, nephews and nieces. His father, David Williams, passed away a few years ago.
PC Michelle Pidgen, of Grimsby's BTP, said: "It amazes me that so soon after a fatal collision people still choose to walk over rail lines that are not marked for pedestrian access.
"Trains come through the Great Coates crossing at 60mph.
"People risk their lives trying to get across the track when they are unsure if a train is near.
"There are a lot of hazards on rail lines which could easily cause someone to trip or fall.
"The three men we caught were spoken to by an officer and their details were taken down. They were taking a shortcut to work on the Europarc estate.
"Our advice to anyone is to never cross railway lines when you are chancing a train coming.
"Use the level crossings which signal if it is unsafe to cross."
Village residents say seeing people cross the railway line away from the level crossing is a regular occurrence.
Brian Winterburn, 69, a Great Coates parish councillor and retired train fitter, said: "I see women with push chairs cutting across the tracks and kids playing 'chicken'.
"I don't think people realise the danger they put themselves in but what more education can people get?
"With these half barriers at the moment, there is nothing to stop a child from going underneath them – something will have to change but replacing barriers is expensive."
Inquests have been opened and adjourned into the deaths of Mr Hodge, 47, of Sutcliffe Avenue, Grimsby, and Mr Williams, 40, of Taylor Street, Cleethorpes.
They were both employed by the Manpower agency, working on Immingham Docks de-waxing cars, and were on their way home at the time of the tragedy.
Mr Hodge was a grandfather and keen football supporter.
Mr Williams, who had moved to the area from Blackpool last year, was due to marry his fiancé, Carolyn Woodward, who called him her "rock".
A BTP spokesman said a report will be prepared for the inquest and will include more details about the train and the car.
The investigation will be conducted jointly with the Rail Accident Investigation Branch, and CCTV footage will be examined.
This area's coroner, Paul Kelly, is expected to re-open the inquest either later this year or the start of next year.
Witnesses are asked to contact British Transport Police on 0800 405040, quoting incident number 516 of April 9.
