Tractor driver suffers miracle escape after train smashes into vehicle at level crossing

A tractor driver had a miraculous escape after a train ploughed into his vehicle at a level crossing.

The driver suffered only minor injuries following the collision at the farm crossing in Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, at around 6.15pm this evening.

Pictures show the tractor next to the railway line with its front end having been completely taken off by the impact.

Two air ambulances, a hazardous area response team, three road ambulances and three rapid response vehicles were sent to deal with the incident.


A spokesman for North Yorkshire Ambulance Service said: "We conveyed one patient to the Harrogate District Hospital, believed to have minor injuries."

British Transport Police tweeted: "We're on scene at a level crossing in Knaresborough after a train struck a tractor. Tractor driver has been taken to hospital."

Northern Rail suspended services from York to Harrogate and staff are currently on the scene.

Replacement bus services are operating in the area.

A spokeswoman for the train company said the service that struck the tractor was the 5.29pm train from Leeds to York.