Littleport: Man Killed As Train Hits Car

12 July 2012, 14:16 | Updated: 12 July 2012, 17:56

A man has been killed after a train hit a car near Littleport.

The incident led to delays and cancellations on First Capital Connect services from Kings Lynn to Kings Cross and Greater Anglia Services from Kings Lynn to Liverpool Street.

These services were expected to terminate at Cambridge or Ely for the rest of the day, with buses replacing trains between Cambridge or Ely and Kings Lynn.

Roads around the Ten Mile Bank area were closed while emergency services establish what happened.

According to Network Rail, there were no reported injuries to passengers or staff on the train.

A British Transport Police (BTP) spokesman said:"BTP officers were called to Pleasant level crossing, near Downham Market, Norfolk, on Thursday, 12 July, following a report of a car being struck by a train. 

Norfolk and Cambridgeshire Constabulary officers also attended the incident, which was reported to BTP at 1.15pm, along with local fire and ambulance services. 

The male driver of the Kia Sportage was sadly pronounced dead at the scene and his family have now been informed. 

Police are currently working to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident, including how the car came to be on the tracks.

The train involved was the 12.56pm First Capital Connect Kings Lynn to Kings Cross service."

Investigators from the Rail Accident Investigation Branch are investigating.

Manuel Cortes, leader of the TSSA rail union, said after the incident: "Level crossing fatalities are the biggest killer on our railnetwork. Road and rail just do not mix in a fast-moving transport system with trains moving at up to 90mph.

The sooner Network Rail starts to close these potential  dangerous crossings, the better it will be for both rail passengers and road users."