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One dead in level crossing crash in Athelney, Somerset Level crossing crash: One dead as train hits car
(about 1 hour 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 the barrier was lowered and the driver tried to weave around it in order to cross. Network Rail confirmed the "barriers were down, the car was on the track, the crossing was working correctly".
First Great Western and Network Rail said no train passengers were injured in the crash. Network Rail and First Great Western said none of the 37 train passengers, who remain on board the train, were injured in the crash.
Network Rail confirmed that the train was not derailed and that it was hoping to move it just after 11:00. The line is expected to re-open at 15:00. The affected service was the 05:46 GMT from Exeter St Davids to Paddington, London.
Fire crews are at the scene to remove the vehicle from the track. Network Rail said the train was not derailed.
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''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. John Baker, from the organisation, said: "After the train's been moved our engineers will go in and they'll be conducting full testing at the crossing to see if it was working properly at the time."
He added he could not confirm whether there were any cameras at that particular level crossing.
Fire crews have begun moving the vehicle from the track and the train is due to arrive in Taunton at about midday. The line is expected to reopen at 15:00 GMT.
Dan Panes, from First Great Western, 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. "
He said 37 passengers remained on board as it was a "live railway line in the middle of a police investigation". He said the two train drivers were both shocked by what had happened.
He said as soon as emergency services give the all-clear, the customers will be able to leave the train. Mr Panes said the passengers remained on board the train because it was a "live railway line in the middle of a police investigation".
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". As soon as emergency services give the all-clear, they will be able to leave the train.
'Almighty bang''Almighty bang'
Aaron Mead, who lives 100 yards from the scene, said he heard an "almighty bang". Mr Panes 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."
Aaron Mead, who lives 100 yards from the scene, said he heard an "almighty bang" when the crash happened.
"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.