05/01/2009

Woman Dies After Train Collision

A woman has died at a level crossing in Lincolnshire as she desperately tried to reverse her car out of the path of an oncoming train at a level crossing.

It is understood the 30-year-old driver of the vehicle, who has not yet been identified, was driving across an icy level crossing in South Drove, near Spalding, Lincolnshire, when the train struck her car, killing her instantly.

Police said the car ended up in the path of a train after it was in collision with a van. The van driver had managed to steer his vehicle off the tracks before the barriers came down, but the woman became penned in.

Moments later, the 8.33am Peterborough to Lincoln service struck the grey Rover 216, with the unnamed woman still at the wheel attempting to reverse.

Sergeant Dave Kay said: "She was making frantic attempts to get off the level crossing but witnesses said it was very, very quick from when the barriers came down to the collision.

"She was trying to get her car off the level crossing but because of the arctic conditions it was like a skating rink and she couldn't get very far."

A spokeswoman for East Midlands Trains said the train was not derailed and none of the 18 passengers were hurt.

Police also said the two men who were in the van, tried to reach the woman before she was killed.

West Road is closed to traffic.

(JM/KMcA)

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