Man killed in train crash

A man has died after a car was hit by a freight train at a level crossing in Oxfordshire this afternoon.

The man was one of two people in the car which was hit at the crossing in Sandy Lane, Yarnton, Oxfordshire.

British Transport Police said the man was prounounced dead at the scene after they were called at 3.40pm.

A spokeswoman said: "It is believed two people were in the vehicle at the time.

"Sadly, one of them, a man, was pronounced dead at the scene.

"The train involved was a Trafford Park to Southampton freight service, and the driver is reported to be shaken but uninjured.

"Officers are working to establish the full circumstances, including how the car came to be on the tracks at the time."

Train passengers on Cross Country and First Great Western services are being warned that they face delays of up to an hour because of the crash north of Oxford, according to the National Rail Enquiries website.

Buses are replacing trains between Oxford and Banbury.

First Great Western said it was expecting disruption to continue into the early hours of tomorrow morning.

The rural crossing in a quiet country lane was reportedly due to be visited by a new speed camera van designed to catch people who attempt to beat level crossing barriers.

British Transport Police are rolling out the purpose-built van to crossings in the county where drivers are known to gamble on beating the warning signals and barriers to get across before the train arrives.

It would then collect video evidence for prosecutions.

A South Central Ambulance Service spokeswoman said one person involved in the crash had been taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford with minor injuries, while two others were treated at the scene.

She was unable to say whether they were in the car or on board the train.