Two people have been arrested after Southeastern’s 04:50 service from Ramsgate to London hit a Vauxhaul Astra on the Cliff’s End level crossing.
It is thought the unoccupied car had been parked on the level crossing in Kent and was struck by the train at 05:00 this morning which led to train services being disrupted throughout the day.
A man and a woman have been arrested following the incident on suspicion of ‘being in charge of a vehicle when unfit through drink or drugs’.
The driver of the train and four other members of staff who were working on the train were unhurt but the train was ‘damaged’, Southeastern said.
A replacement bus service was provided for passengers as the crossing was closed to clear the line of debris.
A Southeastern spokeswoman said:
“No-one was hurt but the incident would have been of some concern to the driver.
“The passengers were taken off the train and services are expected to be affected for most of the day.
“It’s not clear how the car got on to the line. There is damage to the train and engineers are at the site.”
