Another UK rail crossing crash

Two people were killed yesterday when a train and a van collided at a track crossing in Lincolnshire, eastern England, police said.

It was the second fatal accident at a UK level crossing in a month.

"The van that was struck on the crossing... it would seem that there were two people in it... and that they have died. Ambulance, fire and rescue teams are at the scene," a police spokesman said.

Three passengers, the train driver and the guard have been admitted to hospital suffering from shock.

"The train struck a van and trailer on a farm crossing on a private road," said a spokeswoman for Network Rail which operates the track. The incident happened near Sleaford, some 120 miles north of London.

The train belonged to Central Trains, a rail company owned by National Express Group.

Last month, seven people were killed when a train ploughed into a van on a level crossing in southern England.