Car hit by train on level crossing was pushed one mile down the track

A car which was hit by a train on a level crossing was pushed one mile down the track, it has emerged today.

Investigations are still ongoing into the incident, which occurred on Saturday evening in Palgrave, near Diss.

The male driver of the car died at the scene.

Today it is being reported that the speed of the train meant it took up to a mile before it stopped after the collision.

The incident triggered a major emergency response, with police, fire and ambulance services racing to the scene.

British Transport Police led the operation with help from Suffolk police and the ambulance service.

Blue lights lit up the night sky as rescue teams worked until the early hours, closing Lower Rose Lane Bridge and Crossing Road in Palgrave.

A spokesman for British Transport Police said: 'Unfortunately the male driver was pronounced dead at the scene. Their next of kin has been informed.'

Up to 90 trains a day use the crossing, travelling at up to 100mph on a fast stretch of the mainline to and from London.

Kathryn Westerveld, who has lived near the Palgrave crossing for 10 years, said: 'It's always very shocking, particularly when someone was killed. Unfortunately one does hear of these things happening at level crossings, but when it's so close it's a real shock.'

Another resident, Mike Bootman, said the crossing was a busy cut through for people driving into Diss.

A third person, who asked to remain anonymous, said: 'A lot of people use it as a cut through. I have lived here for two years and this is the first thing I've heard that has happened.'

The incident caused disruption to rail services, with all lines between Diss and Stowmarket closed throughout the evening. All 136 passengers on board the train involved in the incident were evacuated from the train and taken to nearby Diss station by coach or taxi.

A Greater Anglia spokesman said: 'No passengers on the train were injured in the collision.'