A motorist was killed today after a high-speed train bound for London hit a car on a level crossing in Somerset.
The man was pronounced dead at the scene shortly after the crash at around 6.30am this morning.
It is understood the barriers were lowered at the time of the incident at the crossing near Athelney on the line between Taunton and Castle Cary which has been categorised as “non suspicious”.
Hours later, the red car was still trapped under the front of the Paddington-bound train as firefighters tried to cut it free.
Witnesses at the scene say the impact of the train carried the car at least half a mile down the track.
Aaron Mead, who lives 100 yards from the scene, told the BBC he heard an “almighty bang”.
“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.”
Network Rail said an investigation has been launched but the focus will be on actions of the driver rather than the working of the crossing.
Witnesses said the barriers at the level crossing were lowered when the car drove on to the track.
James Hector, owner of Willowbank Services less than a mile from the scene, said the barriers close very quickly.
“It’s a very fast crossing,” he said. “Once the barriers go down the train is there within 30 seconds.
“They are half-road barriers so it would be possible to drive around them, but you would have no chance if you did.”
A spokesman for Network Rail added: ‘There are 45 people on board, comprising 37 passengers and eight train crew.
‘The train has not derailed and no passengers or crew were injured. The car is badly damaged and is under the leading power car.
“The train driver and First Great Western staff have given a statement to British Transport Police that the barriers were lowered and the car was seen to drive on to the crossing.”
First Great Western said no train passengers were thought to have been injured in the crash.
