A 72-year-old man and his teenage grandson were killed at the weekend when a passenger train hit a car on a level crossing in West Sussex.
British Transport Police (BTP) said its officers were called to Barns Green level crossing near Horsham at 8.47am on Saturday, following reports that a car had been struck by a train.
Photo © Peter Trimming (cc-by-sa/2.0)
Officers from BTP, alongside colleagues from Sussex Police and paramedics, attended the scene. Two people were pronounced dead at the scene – the 72-year-old driver and a 15-year-old boy. BTP said their family is being supported by family liaison officers.
No-one on the train was injured.
Detective inspector Brett Walker 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.’
The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) and regulator the Office of Rail and Road were notified of the incident.
A spokesperson for the RAIB told Transport Network that it had sent inspectors to the scene, and was in the process of reviewing the information obtained. It has not yet launched a formal investigation.
A spokesperson for train operator Southern said: ‘At approximately 08.45 on Saturday 17 February a road vehicle was involved in a collision with a Southern train service at Barns Level Crossing. Emergency services were called to the scene.
‘Our train crew attended to the welfare of the 20 passengers on the service. Passengers were taken forward from the scene by bus. There were no reported injuries. Our Rail Care Team also provided support to those passengers involved.
‘Our thoughts are with all of those involved and their families at this difficult time.’
The affected line re-opened on Monday morning.
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