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Level crossing crash: One dead as train hits car Level crossing crash: One dead as train hits car
(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, between Taunton and Castle Cary.
John Baker, from Network Rail, said: "As far as we aware the barriers and the lights were working correctly."John Baker, from Network Rail, said: "As far as we aware the barriers and the lights were working correctly."
Network Rail and First Great Western (FGW) said none of the 37 train passengers, who remain on board the train, were injured in the crash. Network Rail and First Great Western (FGW) said that none of the 37 passengers on the train was injured in the accident.
The affected service was the 05:46 GMT from Exeter St Davids to Paddington, London. The affected service was the 05:46 GMT from Exeter St Davids to Paddington, west London.
Network Rail said the train was not derailed.Network Rail said the train was not derailed.
'Worst thing''Worst thing'
"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," added Mr Baker. Mr Baker said engineers would be conducting full testing at the crossing to see if it was working properly at the time.
He said he could not confirm whether there were any cameras at that particular level crossing. He said he could not confirm whether there were any cameras at the crossing.
A group of school children from the Isca College of Media Arts in Exeter were on the train travelling to Radio 1 for BBC School Report - an initiative to help children aged between 11 and 16 develop journalistic skills. A group of schoolchildren from the Isca College of Media Arts in Exeter were on the train travelling to Radio 1 for BBC School Report - an initiative to help children aged between 11 and 16 develop journalistic skills.
Denis, aged 15, 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.Denis, aged 15, 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.
"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.. We are slowly being pulled back to Taunton." "The train manager suggested we might have to climb down ladders to get off of the train... we are slowly being pulled back to Taunton."
The train arrived in Taunton at about midday. The line is expected to reopen at 15:00.The train arrived in Taunton at about midday. The line is expected to reopen at 15:00.
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. "
He said the two train drivers were both shocked by what had happened.
Mr Panes said the passengers remained on board the train because it was a "live railway line in the middle of a police investigation".
As soon as emergency services give the all-clear, they will be able to leave the train.
'Almighty bang''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." Dan Panes, from FGW, said: "This is pretty much the worst thing that can ever happen to one of our train drivers.
Aaron Mead, who lives 100 yards from the scene, said he heard an "almighty bang" when the crash happened. "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" 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.
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.