Man Dead Following Van Collision With Train

A Sittingbourne-bound train collided with a van on a level crossing near Lower Road in Teynham earlier this afternoon (Sunday 13th July), resulting in the death of the driver.

Emergency Services were alerted shortly after 12.45pm today and it is believed a South Eastern Service collided with the van on the level crossing at high speed resulting in the vehicle bursting in to flames a rolling down the trackside bank near the crossing.

In a statement issued to SFM News this afternoon, British Transport Police confirmed: “Officers were called to the line in Tonge just after 12.45pm following reports of a train striking a van. Paramedics also attended, however sadly a person was pronounced dead at the scene. The incident is currently being investigated.”

It is believed there were around 200 train passengers trapped on board the train for several hours following the collision, who were eventually transferred to another train under the supervision of emergency crews on the scene.

South Eastern have confirmed that "services between Canterbury East & Victoria remain disrupted" and that a Rail Replacement service has been introduced.

A spokesperson for Kent Fire & Rescue Service (KFRS) told SFM News: "crews also arrived at the scene at 12.48pm to reports of a van fire on train tracks at Teynham, near Sittingbourne. Four fire engines attended with crews wearing breathing apparatus to extinguish the flames. The road has been closed near Lower Road, Hempsted Lane and Frognal Lane".

We will bring you more on this story as we get it.