Three people were killed yesterday when a train hit a car at a level crossing, police said.

The crash, involving an Inverness to Wick train, happened at Halkirk in Caithness, said.

The three victims are believed to have been in the car. No one on board the train was injured.

"Police can confirm there are three fatalities," said a police spokesman."The incident was reported 2.08 p.m. this afternoon. It is now known that there were 18 people on board and four staff. They are currently being taken from the scene by bus."

The spokesman for the force said the Road Policing Unit would carry out a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the collision.

Highlands and Islands Fire and Rescue Service said it received reports that a train hit a car and sent three fire engines to the scene.

The Scottish Ambulance Service said it was called by a member of the public at 2.07 p.m. and sent four ambulances to the scene.

Train operator ScotRail confirmed its 10.38 a.m. Inverness to Wick service was involved in the collision.