A person has died after a London-bound high-speed train smashed into a van at a level crossing in broad daylight.
The crash, in Teynham, Kent, has cancelled services between Newington and Faversham – while a fire has broken out at the scene.
Footage from the crash site shows a blaze raging in greenery close to the railway.
Further images from the aftermath show the train upright but stopped on the track, with no immediately obvious damage.
Emergency services including British Transport Police (BTP), Kent Police, and fire and rescue crews, remain on site – with an air ambulance also rushing to the level crossing.
A BTP spokesman told GB News: “Officers were called to the line in Tonge just after 12.45pm today following reports of a train striking a van.
Emergency services including British Transport Police, Kent Police, and fire and rescue crews, remain on site near Tonge, Kent
GB NEWS
“Paramedics also attended, however sadly a person was pronounced dead at the scene.
“The incident is currently being investigated.”
Southeastern Rail has since activated a Customer Service Level 2 alert.
A spokesman for the operator confirmed: “A train has hit a van on the line at Teynham, blocking the route between Newington and Faversham.
“Police are on site and working to resolve the incident.”
On social media, Southeastern added that “a plan is being worked on to allow passengers to exit as soon as possible”.
“However, we don’t have an exact time for when that will be,” it added.
Southeastern also said it was “awaiting confirmation of the severity of the incident”, with disruption expected until 6pm.
National Rail, meanwhile, has confirmed disruption is likely on the following lines:
- London St Pancras International or London Victoria and Ramsgate;
- London Victoria and Canterbury East;
- Sheerness-on-Sea and Sittingbourne.
More to follow…