INVESTIGATIONS are continuing after a car was struck by a train at a level crossing on Saturday night.
British Transport Police (BTP) confirmed three passengers had been in the car, but had escaped before it was struck by a train at the Cleghorn crossing, near Carstairs, Lanarkshire.
The Virgin train had been travelling from Preston to Glasgow and was carrying about 60 passengers when the incident happened just before 7pm.
The junction is on the main West Coast line between Glasgow and London, which is used by trains frequently travelling at 125 miles per hour.
The incident caused widespread disruption, with services re-routed as a result. It was reported passengers had to wait four hours until the car was removed.
Tracy Johnston, 44, was travelling on the train when the crash occurred. She told the Sunday Mail: “One minute you’re chatting and the next think you’re going to die.
“The service manager said it’s the worst impact he’s filed in 20 years and we’re really lucky we never derailed.”
A spokesman for BTP said: “Just after 6.46pm we were called to Cleghorn level crossing in Lanark following reports that a car was struck by a train. Fortunately, all occupants of the vehicle were able to exit before it was struck by train. There are no reported injuries.
“Our priority is to ensure the safety of everyone on board the train and the vehicles occupants and look to understand how the car came to be on the tracks.
He said the Rail Accidents Investigation Branch and Officer of Rail and Road had also been notified.
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