Two hurt in UK level crossing crash

Two people in a van were seriously injured today in a level crossing accident in which a passenger train was derailed in the UK.

The incident, just before 11am, was at Matt Pit Lane in Wainfleet, near Skegness, Lincolnshire.

It involved Central Trains' 7.45am service from Blythe Bridge, near Stoke-on-Trent, to Skegness.

The 35-ton 156 Sprinter train remained upright after the incident and no one on board was hurt.

A man and woman in the van were injured, with one thought to be suffering from head injuries.

Both were due to be taken to hospital in Boston by air ambulance. Police said the level crossing did not have gates or fences and operated with a lights system.

“The line is blocked and services will be disrupted,” said a spokesman for Central.

He went on: “We don’t expect too much disruption as there is only an hourly service on this route. This particular train normally starts from Crewe but began today at Blythe Bridge.”