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Level crossing crash: One dead as train hits car | Level crossing crash: One dead as train hits car |
(about 17 hours later) | |
One person died when a train hit a car on a level crossing in Somerset. | One person died when a train hit a car on a level crossing in Somerset. |
The 05:46 service from Exeter St Davids to Paddington crashed at about 06:30 GMT near Athelney, between Taunton and Castle Cary. | The 05:46 service from Exeter St Davids to Paddington crashed at about 06:30 GMT near Athelney, between Taunton and Castle Cary. |
No train passengers were hurt but 37 were stuck on the First Great Western (FGW) train for about six hours. | |
Network Rail said it believed the barriers and lights at the crossing had been working correctly but that full tests would be carried out. | Network Rail said it believed the barriers and lights at the crossing had been working correctly but that full tests would be carried out. |
The train was not derailed. | The train was not derailed. |
'Worst thing' | 'Worst thing' |
John Baker, from Network Rail, was unable to confirm whether there were any cameras at the Stanmoor Road crossing, where the crash happened. | John Baker, from Network Rail, was unable to confirm whether there were any cameras at the Stanmoor Road crossing, where the crash happened. |
Denis, 15, who was on the train, described hearing a "loud bang". | Denis, 15, who was on the train, described hearing a "loud bang". |
He was with a group of students from Exeter's Isca College of Media Arts travelling to Radio 1 for BBC School Report - an initiative to help children aged between 11 and 16 develop journalistic skills. | He was with a group of students from Exeter's Isca College of Media Arts travelling to Radio 1 for BBC School Report - an initiative to help children aged between 11 and 16 develop journalistic skills. |
"We were talking through some questions on the train to Radio 1. At about 7am, we thought we could smell petrol and we heard a loud bang," he said. | "We were talking through some questions on the train to Radio 1. At about 7am, we thought we could smell petrol and we heard a loud bang," he said. |
"We were all told to go into the first-class carriages where we were informed that the train had struck a car. | "We were all told to go into the first-class carriages where we were informed that the train had struck a car. |
"The train manager suggested we might have to climb down ladders to get off of the train." | "The train manager suggested we might have to climb down ladders to get off of the train." |
After the car wreckage had been cleared, the train was able to carry on to Taunton six miles away where its journey was terminated at about midday. | After the car wreckage had been cleared, the train was able to carry on to Taunton six miles away where its journey was terminated at about midday. |
The line reopened at about 15:00 GMT. | The line reopened at about 15:00 GMT. |
'Almighty bang' | 'Almighty bang' |
Dan Panes, from FGW, said: "This is pretty much the worst thing that can ever happen to one of our train drivers. | Dan Panes, from FGW, said: "This is pretty much the worst thing that can ever happen to one of our train drivers. |
"There is very little you can do if something appears on the track in front of you - these trains take a long time to stop." | "There is very little you can do if something appears on the track in front of you - these trains take a long time to stop." |
Aaron Mead, who lives about 100 yards (90m) from the scene, said he heard an "almighty bang". | Aaron Mead, who lives about 100 yards (90m) from the scene, said he heard an "almighty bang". |
"A couple of pictures on the bedside table fell over," he said. | "A couple of pictures on the bedside table fell over," he said. |
"Before we knew it we had endless amounts of sirens - police cars, fire engines and ambulances bombing up and down the road." | "Before we knew it we had endless amounts of sirens - police cars, fire engines and ambulances bombing up and down the road." |
Stanmoor Road remains closed in both directions at the Cuts Road junction. | Stanmoor Road remains closed in both directions at the Cuts Road junction. |
British Transport Police said the accident was not being treated as suspicious. | British Transport Police said the accident was not being treated as suspicious. |
Network Rail said the level crossing was not deemed as "high risk", as it is on a quiet road with little traffic. | Network Rail said the level crossing was not deemed as "high risk", as it is on a quiet road with little traffic. |