RAIL experts are today investigating how two men died when their car was hit by a train on the Great Coates crossing last night.
A 47-year-old man from Grimsby, believed to be the driver, was pronounced dead at the scene and a 40-year-old man from Cleethorpes, believed to be a passenger in the car, passed away a short while later on the way to hospital.Police were alerted just after 7.30pm by calls from residents reporting a loud bang.
The area was cordoned off as all three emergency services and railway officials attended the scene.
The train, the 19.26 Transpennine from Cleethorpes, was travelling at 60mph across the automated half-barrier crossing in Woad Lane.
Five passengers were on the train at the time of the collision.
Passengers were led off the train, which stopped further up the track after the incident. None were hurt. The train was not derailed.
A Humberside Police spokesman said: "We started to receive calls at 7.35pm from residents in the area reporting hearing some sort of loud bang.
"Officers were dispatched to the scene and on arrival it was clear there had been an incident in which a train appears to have been in a collision with a vehicle."
Richard Jarman, 49, of Station Road, said he was alerted by the horn of the train, which sounded for a prolonged period.
He said: "Then I heard what can only be described as a thud of metal being impacted.
"I went down to the train line and saw the car there. I shouted to my wife to call emergency services.
"I went to the car. I tried talking to the driver but got no response.
"The passenger was conscious but at this time other people were arriving. I went down to the train, which had stopped further down the track.
"The driver was on the phone to emergency services.
"I went back to the car, by which time all the emergency services had arrived.
"Both of the men in the car were wearing hi-vis jackets."
A nearby resident, who did not wish to be named, said: "I heard a loud bang and at first I thought someone had jumped in front of a train, it was quite scary.
"There were three ambulances, fire engines and countless police cars.
"The car was in a really bad state and people were pulling bits of it out of the front of the train, which stopped right near my house."
The vehicle was unidentifiable and covered over with a green sheet by emergency services.
Trains between Scunthorpe and Cleethorpes were cancelled for the remainder of the night.
Detective Inspector Mick Jackson, of British Transport Police, said: "Our thoughts are very much with the men's families at this very difficult time. "We're keeping an open mind but indications so far are that the crossing was working correctly and this appears to have been a tragic accident. "However, we'd like to speak to anyone who may have witnessed the incident. "The train remained upright and on the tracks and there were no injuries, all passengers were safely removed from the service. "The Rail Accident Investigation Branch has been informed and we are continuing enquiries to establish the full circumstances." A National Rail spokesman said: "Investigations have been completed and trains are now able to resume over the level crossing. "Because of train and staff displacement, there are a few early morning amendments. All other trains are expected to run as normal." Anyone with information is asked to contact British Transport Police on Freefone 0800 40 50 40 quoting incident reference 516 of 9/04/2013.Did you witness the incident or were you a passenger on the train? Contact the Grimsby Telegraph news desk on 01472 372213 or e-mail newsdesk@grimsbytelegraph.co.uk
