Car hit by train on level crossing
The level crossing where a Landrover was hit by a train, leaving a man with head injuries Google Maps

A man has suffered serious head injuries after a train hit his car at a level crossing. The accident happened at a crossing between Cambridge and Ely on Friday (12 August) afternoon.

The man, who is in his forties, was driving a Land Rover across the level crossing on private farmland near Stretham, Cambridgeshire, when he was struck by a Great Northern train travelling from Kings Lynn to London King's Cross.

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An emergency response team, including an air ambulance attended the scene and the man was airlifted to Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge. It's thought his injuries are not life-threatening.

115 passengers on the train were safely transferred to another train, Cambridge News reports.

An East of England Ambulance Service spokesman said: "A train has hit a vehicle on the line between Cambridge and Ely. An emergency call was received at 2.34pm on Friday with the East Anglian Air ambulance, a land ambulance, three ambulance officers, the hazardous area response team and police sent to the scene near Stretham in Cambridgeshire.

"One patient, a man in his 40s, has been taken to Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge for treatment."

Network Rail spokesman Ross Easton explained: "This type of level crossing is typically used by fewer than ten vehicles per day and requires users to telephone a signal box for permission to cross. We are assisting the emergency services at the scene."

According to Sky News, National Rail is reporting 'major delays' to the east coast main line, which are expected to be disrupted until 7pm. It said in a statement: "A train has hit an obstruction on the line near Waterbeach and this is causing disruption to journeys between Ely and Cambridge. Trains between these stations may be cancelled, amended or delayed by up to 60 minutes. Disruption is expected to continue until 7pm."

A passenger who was on the train that struck the car, tweeted: "On train between Ely and Cambridge we just hit a car. Everyone in train is ok. An air ambulance just arrived on the scene." Another Twitter user posted an image of the vehicle.