Horror as train smashes into tractor at UK level crossing leaving 17 people injured – with man, 32, arrested
A TRAIN has smashed into a tractor at a UK level crossing leaving 17 people injured.
The train was travelling from Manchester to Cardiff before crashing on the track just before 10.45am today.
Seventeen people have been injured after a passenger train crashed into a tractor and trailer at a level crossing.
Emergency services were called to the smash near to Nordan Farm, in Leominster, Herefordshire, after the train ploughed into the agricultural unit at around 10.50am today.
The most seriously injured victims were a man airlifted from the trackside to hospital and a woman taken to hospital by road.
A further 15 people, who were passengers on the train, were assessed by paramedics but discharged at the scene.
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Police, ambulance and fire crews all attended the scene while train services were halted in the area and disruption is set to continue until the evening.
A spokesperson for Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service said crews were "called at 10:52 on 22 May to an incident with a train, consisting of five carriages and carrying 66 people in collision with an agricultural trailer unit near Orleton".
They added: "Six people have been handed over to the care of the ambulance service with minor injuries.
"Police are also in attendance, as are Network Rail.
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"There is no fire and the train was not derailed but there will be some disruption to the line."
A spokesperson for British Transport Police said: "British Transport Police were called to a level crossing north of Leominster,
"Herefordshire, at 10.40am today (22 May) following reports that a train had struck a tractor and trailer.
"Officers are in attendance, alongside officers from West Merica Police, paramedics and fire service.
"Currently six individuals are being assessed by paramedics with injuries that are not thought to be serious.
"Enquiries are ongoing into the full circumstances leading up to the incident."
A spokesperson for West Midlands Ambulance Service said: "We were called to an incident on the railway track at Nordan Farm, Leominster at 10.46am.
"We currently have an ambulance, five paramedic officers, the Midlands Air Ambulance from Strensham at the scene."
A Transport for Wales spokesperson said: "Due to a train striking a vehicle at Leominster all lines are on stop in the area, emergency road transport has been requested and is being sourced. Disruption is expected to continue into this evening."