Trust in the person who has eyes on everything. It’s unfortunate they were the only atc working.

More nuanced answer is probably something along the lines of compliance and blind trust in what the atc says but no validation on their part. Focus on getting to their call instead of looking both ways. Also I have no idea what an airplane looks like coming down the runway at night with all the other lights. Also also poor estimation of speed of an object coming right at you. That last ones the same issue people have with trains when they try to beat the train over the tracks.

I can only make an educated guess why there was only one atc at that time but I’m sure it’ll turn political soon if it hasn’t already.