Two people have died after a car was struck by a train on a level crossing in West Sussex.
The pair are believed to be a 15-year-old boy and his grandfather on their way to a football match.
The vehicle was described by witnesses as being ‘engulfed by a fireball’ before it was shunted along the track at great speed. Both were pronounced dead at the scene.
The tragedy happened just before 9am today in Horsham, West Sussex.
Two people have died after a train struck a car at a level crossing in Horsham, West Sussex
Tragic: A witness described the blue car, pictured above, as ‘split in two’
British Transport Police said officers were called to the scene near Barns Green village at 8.47am on Saturday
The two victims of a horrific collision on a level crossing are believed to have been a boy and his grandfather
A witness at the scene he believed the car had gone round the safety barriers as there appeared to be no damage to the gates.
Philip Packer told the Daily Mirror: ‘The car split in two – One half they had to put a cover over and the other half, seen in my photo, was a few yards down the track.
‘When we were evacuated from the train both the barriers were still there (and it) looks like they had gone around them.’
Officers from British Transport Police (BTP) attended the scene with Sussex Police and paramedics.
Around 150 people were evacuated from the train.
Southern said rail services would be affected for the rest of the day, with buses replacing trains between Horsham and Pulborough.
Officers from British Transport Police (BTP) attended the scene with Sussex Police and paramedics
BTP said the two people were pronounced dead at the scene and officers are ‘currently examining the scene to establish the circumstances which led to the car being struck’.
Detective Inspector Brett Walker from BTP said: ‘This is an extremely tragic incident and our thoughts are with the family at this difficult time. ‘Our officers have been working at the scene, and will continue to do so for the rest of the day, to ensure we gain as much information about how the collision happened.
‘People should expect some disruption to services in the area while we investigate. I would like to thank the community in Barns Green for their support and patience.
‘Local people will see more of our officers in the area throughout the day and I would urge anyone who saw what happened, or feels they may have any information which would be relevant to our investigation, to contact us.’
The Rail Accident Investigation Branch have been notified of this incident.
Many of the train passengers were taken to the nearby Sumners Ponds campsite, where they were given hot drinks until rail replacement buses arrived.