Motorist Killed In Level Crossing Collision

A man has been killed after the car in which he was travelling was hit by a train on a level crossing, British Transport Police say.

The First Capital Connect passenger train was travelling from Kings Lynn to London's King's Cross station when it crashed into the car on the Pleasants crossing between Downham Market and Littleport in Norfolk at 1.15pm.

British Transport Police (BTP) and fire services responded to the incident, but the man was pronounced dead at the scene.

"Norfolk and Cambridgeshire Constabulary officers also attended the incident, which was reported to BTP at 1.15pm, along with local fire and ambulance services," BTP said in a statement.

"Police are currently working to establish the full circumstances including how the car came to be on the tracks."

The train was not derailed by the collision and none of the 60 passengers on board was injured.

Network Rail (NR) said the crossing between Downham Market and Littleport, was a "user-worked" type, which means someone is responsible for opening and closing the gate.

The train, which was slightly damaged in the incident, came a halt just down the track.

An NR spokesman said: "Those using the crossing get red and green signals to guide them.

"The crossing goes across a private road in farmland and serves a few houses.

"It has a number or registered users and other members of the public are not allowed to use it."

Arrangements were made to take passengers on to their destinations by bus.

First Capital Connect services between Ely and King's Lynn were cancelled after the incident, but the main London to Cambridge line was operating normally.

The Office of Rail Regulation is investigating the incident.