B737-800 flight crew reported a rejected takeoff when they observed another aircraft about to cross their runway.
Synopsis
B737-800 flight crew reported a rejected takeoff when they observed another aircraft about to cross their runway.
Narrative
As we neared the end of the Runway; atc cleared us for takeoff on Runway XXR. While turning the corner from the Taxiway to the Runway; I slowly began increasing power to allow the engines to spool up. I then heard the Controller clear an aircraft to cross Runway XXR. As we turned onto the Runway; I looked down the Runway looking for any aircraft near it. I noticed a Company E175 taxiing between XXL and XXR approaching XXR. I delayed setting power for takeoff to see what the E175 was going to do. When it became clear they weren't slowing down and were probably the aircraft cleared to cross XXR; I pointed this out to my FO; reduced the power to idle and called a rejected takeoff. My FO immediately announced the reject over the radio and the Controller acknowledged. As we rolled down the Runway; I questioned the takeoff clearance with my FO. He strongly confirmed that we cleared for takeoff. While clearing the Runway; I then questioned the Controller about the takeoff clearance. He admitted that it was his mistake". After clearing; the aircraft was stopped while I briefed the cabin crew and passengers. The FO consulted the rejected takeoff checklist and a call was made to dispatch. It was determined the flight was good to continue. The Tower gave us a phone number and asked us to call upon reaching our destination ZZZ1. We called them back and their interest seemed to be when we knew about the other aircraft and what actions we took during the event. Unknown as the mistake was admitted by the atc controller"
Second reporter narrative
We were cleared for take-off; Runway XXR in ZZZ. The weather was CAVOK with light winds. The Captain was the Pilot Flying; we executed a rolling take-off. When the Captain spooled up the engines to 40% N1 and we both realized that a Company E170 was crossing our Runway. I; the First Officer Pilot Monitoring; called for the abort in which the Captain aborted the take off. I reported the aborted take off to the Tower in which we were instructed to cancel the take off clearance and exit the runway. We reported the reason for the aborted take off in which ZZZ Tower mentioned it was their mistake since they cleared the E175 to cross the Runway XXR while we were cleared for take off on Runway XXR. After going through the appropriate checklists the Captain made a call to Dispatch. Since the abort was completed below 40KTS; the brakes were cool and in good condition; fuel quantity was above min fuel; and dispatch was informed we decided to continue the flight. The flight was completed with no further problems. I believe we avoided an incident or accident by relying on our training and executing effective CRM. Being aware of your surroundings and always double check clearances. ATC also makes mistakes.
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Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.