Train smashes into car at level crossing as driver makes lucky escape

Rail services were delayed into Kent on Friday after a train collided with a car at a level crossing in Grove Ferry.

Shocking images show the car had been written off from the impact with the Southeastern service on a single line, but thankfully nobody was injured.

The collision occurred mid-afternoon on Friday at the level crossing in east Kent, approximately seven miles from Canterbury.

The line was blocked between Canterbury West and Ramsgate for several hours before the Nissan Qashqai was removed and trains resumed normal service. In the meantime services were diverted via Dover Priory.

“We're aware of a slow speed collision between a train and a car at Grove Ferry level crossing,” Network Rail wrote of the event on Friday.

“Thankfully there are no reported injuries and our front line responders are working with Kent Police and British Transport Police to remove the car from the crossing.”

An update a little later read: “While work is ongoing to safely and quickly remove the car & assess the train for any damage, the power to the third rail has been turned off & the line is blocked between Canterbury West and Ramsgate.”

A third update at 6.34pm said that trains were running but still at a reduced speed.

Trains were running as planned by Saturday morning.

It has not been stated how the car came to be on the level crossing.