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One dead in level crossing crash in Athelney, Somerset | One dead in level crossing crash in Athelney, Somerset |
(35 minutes 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 crash happened at about 06:30 GMT on the Stanmoor Road crossing near Athelney, on the line between Taunton and Castle Cary. | The crash happened at about 06:30 GMT on the Stanmoor Road crossing near Athelney, on the line between Taunton and Castle Cary. |
Network Rail said initial reports suggested the barrier was lowered and the driver tried to weave around it in order to cross. | Network Rail said initial reports suggested the barrier was lowered and the driver tried to weave around it in order to cross. |
First Great Western and Network Rail said no train passengers are thought to have been injured in the crash. | First Great Western and Network Rail said no train passengers are thought to have been injured in the crash. |
Network Rail has confirmed that the train was not derailed. | Network Rail has confirmed that the train was not derailed. |
Fire crews are at the scene to remove the vehicle from underneath the front of the train. | Fire crews are at the scene to remove the vehicle from underneath the front of the train. |
John Baker from Network Rail said: "The 05:46 train from Exeter St Davids to Paddington has hit a car on the automatic half-barrier level crossing in Athelney - there is one fatality." | John Baker from Network Rail said: "The 05:46 train from Exeter St Davids to Paddington has hit a car on the automatic half-barrier level crossing in Athelney - there is one fatality." |
'Worst thing' | |
Dan Panes, from First Great Western, said: "This is pretty much the worst thing that can every 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. " | |
He said 37 passengers remained on board as it was a "live railway line in the middle of a police investigation". | |
He said as soon as emergency services give the all-clear, the customers will be able to leave the train. | |
He added: "We're hoping we'll be able to get the train on the move as quickly as possible which will remove the blockage to the line. | |
'Almighty bang' | |
"But there is no indication from the police as to how long that might take." | |
Aaron Mead, who lives 100 yards from the scene, said he heard an "almighty bang". | Aaron Mead, who lives 100 yards 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. |
The firm added that engineers would be checking whether the crossing barriers and lights were functioning properly at the time of the accident. | |
A limited bus replacement service is in place between Taunton and Westbury in both directions, calling at Castle Cary. | A limited bus replacement service is in place between Taunton and Westbury in both directions, calling at Castle Cary. |
A First Great Western spokesman said the two drivers on the train were both shocked by what happened. | A First Great Western spokesman said the two drivers on the train were both shocked by what happened. |