A railway line in Burscough has reopened this morning (Monday, August 31) after a delivery van driver was killed when his vehicle was struck by a train at a level crossing over the weekend.
More than a dozen emergency service vehicles were sent to the scene near Martin Lane shortly before 3.20pm on Saturday, August 29, following reports that a train and a van had collided on the line. Police, paramedics and fire crews all attended before it was announced that the male driver of the van had died, and two passengers on the train had also suffered injuries.
Investigation and line closure
British Transport Police launched an investigation immediately after the crash, and the train remained in place for more than a day. Trains on the line were suspended after the incident, which involved a train that had left Southport and was travelling towards Wigan.
An investigation took place on Sunday, with police officers seen working along the track throughout the morning and afternoon. The train has since been removed from the scene and services have resumed.
Passenger account
Passenger Sophie Cassidy, 26, was travelling on the train with her one-year-old son and four-year-old daughter when the incident happened. She said the man was driving a supermarket delivery van, and she saw him approaching the level crossing from the window of the train as she sat at the front behind the driver's cab with her children.
Describing the moment the train hit the van, she said: "When the train hit the van, it took out the whole front window of the train, if the driver hadn't ducked out of the way he would have been killed. He was very lucky."
"The door that separates the driver from the carriage flew off as well. I was really worried we might derail with my kids. Everyone was screaming and crying. It was the most horrible thing I have ever experienced."
Official response
Ashley Dalton, Labour MP for West Lancashire, said: "I am deeply saddened to hear of the tragic incident at the level crossing in Burscough yesterday (Saturday), where a train struck a van and sadly a man was pronounced dead at the scene."
"Two people who were passengers on the train received treatment for minor injuries. My thoughts are with the family and loved ones of the man who lost his life, and with everyone affected by this devastating incident. I want to pay tribute to the emergency services who attended and supported those involved."
A spokesperson for British Transport Police said: "We were called to a level crossing in Burscough, West Lancashire following reports at 3.18pm today (August 29) that a train had struck a van. Paramedics and the fire service also attended."
"One person was in the van and sadly a man was pronounced dead at the scene. Two people who were passengers on the train received treatment for minor injuries. The incident is not being treated as suspicious."
"Enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances of what happened, any witnesses who haven't already spoken to police are asked to text BTP on 61016 quoting the reference 373 of August 29."
