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One dead in train crossing crash | One dead in train crossing crash |
(about 1 hour later) | |
One teenager has been killed and two others have been badly injured after a train and car collided at a level crossing in northern Scotland. | |
The train travelling from Inverness to Wick and a Ford Fiesta were involved in the accident at the automatic Delny Level Crossing near Invergordon. | |
Northern Constabulary said the three 17-year-olds were cut free from the car after the collision at about 0815 GMT. | |
The two badly injured teenagers have been taken to hospital for treatment. | |
They were taken to Raigmore Hospital in Inverness. | |
One was taken by air ambulance and said to be giving cause for concern. | |
The second was taken to hospital by road. | |
One of the teenagers has since been transferred to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary by RAF helicopter. | One of the teenagers has since been transferred to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary by RAF helicopter. |
Network Rail said the train, the 0714 GMT FirstScotrail service, was not derailed in the crash. | Network Rail said the train, the 0714 GMT FirstScotrail service, was not derailed in the crash. |
Cutting equipment | Cutting equipment |
None of the 14 passengers was injured, and neither were four rail staff or the train driver on board. Passengers were transferred to coaches so they could continue their journey. | |
Spokeswoman Susie Haywood added: "It's not a very busy line, there's about one train an hour, and we're hoping disruption will be kept to a minimum." | Spokeswoman Susie Haywood added: "It's not a very busy line, there's about one train an hour, and we're hoping disruption will be kept to a minimum." |
Firefighters used cutting equipment to remove the trapped driver and passengers from the car. | |
The Delny crossing is at the brow of a hill about a quarter of a mile from the centre of the small coastal village. | The Delny crossing is at the brow of a hill about a quarter of a mile from the centre of the small coastal village. |
Level crossings are a 19th century solution - in the 21st century it is high time for a commitment to separate rail and road traffic Bob CrowRMT Union | |
Following the accident, the Rail Maritime and Transport union (RMT) and politicians issued renewed calls for the removal of level crossings from public roads. | |
Bob Crow, from the RMT, said: "It is tragic that there has been another death and serious injuries in another collision between a train and a road vehicle at a level crossing. | |
"It is fortunate that the train was not derailed and that serious injury to the train's passengers and crew appears to have been avoided. | |
"Level crossings are a 19th century solution - in the 21st century it is high time for a commitment to separate rail and road traffic." | |
Jamie Stone, MSP for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, agreed, saying he was "uneasy" about such crossings. | |
The accident happened just after 0800 GMT on Friday | |
He added: "At the end of the day, a barrier would ensure safety." | |
Local householder Mandy MacDonald said of the ungated junction: "My son delivered papers down there this morning and he said there was nothing left of the front of the car. | Local householder Mandy MacDonald said of the ungated junction: "My son delivered papers down there this morning and he said there was nothing left of the front of the car. |
"I can't believe there's still no barrier at that crossing, just the warning lights." | "I can't believe there's still no barrier at that crossing, just the warning lights." |
British Transport Police will carry out an investigation into the incident. | British Transport Police will carry out an investigation into the incident. |
The accident comes a month after an Inverness-Kyle train hit a car on a level crossing in Dingwall. | The accident comes a month after an Inverness-Kyle train hit a car on a level crossing in Dingwall. |
No-one was injured in the incident. | No-one was injured in the incident. |
Network Rail has responsibility for almost 8,000 level crossings - more than 600 of them are in Scotland. |