At around 06.30 on the morning of 1 February 2008, a railway contractors road vehicle working adjacent to the line at Barrow-on-Soar station (on the Midland Main Line north of Leicester) was departing the worksite, as it did so, its tip up rear carrying section which was raised at the time, struck and demolished the footbridge crossing the Midland Main Line at the north of the station. Although an emergency call was made immediately to the signal center and an emergency cab announcement made by the signaller for all trains to stop in the area, it was too late to avoid a serious collision.

The 06.13 Nottingham to Norwich, train No. 1L03 formed of ex-Central Trains liveried Class 158 No. 158856 collided with a side section of the footbridge which was laying over the track at near line speed, causing massive damage to the cab end of the train and a minor derailment. The train's driver was seriously injured and trapped in his cab for two and a half hours before special rescue equipment could be brought to the scene. On release the driver was taken to hospital in Leicester where his condition was described at 'stable'. Six passengers and the guard who were also on the train were not injured. Two track workers and the truck driver were also treated for minor injuries.

The HSE and RAIB took control of the accident site and a full inquiry will be held into how such an accident could happen.