Horsham level crossing crash - train hits car killing lad, 15, and granddad as they drove to footbal

A 15-YEAR-OLD boy and his granddad, 72, have been killed after a car was struck by a train at a level crossing in Sussex.

The pair are believed to have been on their way to a football match when the car was struck at Barns Green level crossing, in Horsham, West Sussex, at around 8.45am this morning.

Both males were pronounced dead at the scene. No one on board the train was hurt.

Witnesses at the scene believer the car had gone round the safety barriers as there appeared to be no damage to the gates.

Philip Packer told Mirror Online: "The car split in two - One half they had to put a cover over and the other half, seen in my photo, was a few yards down the track.

"When we were evacuated from the train both the barriers were still there (and it) looks like they had gone around them."

The line between Horsham and Pulborough has been closed for the rest of the day as police investigate the crash.

A British Transport Police spokesman confirmed the duo - a 15-year-old boy and a 72-year-old man - are from the same family.

Detective Inspector Brett Walker from BTP said: "This is an extremely tragic incident and our thoughts are with the family at this difficult time.

"Our officers have been working at the scene, and will continue to do so for the rest of the day, to ensure we gain as much information about how the collision happened.

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"People should expect some disruption to services in the area while we investigate. I would like to thank the community in Barns Green for their support and patience.

"Local people will see more of our officers in the area throughout the day and I would urge anyone who saw what happened, or feels they may have any information which would be relevant to our investigation, to contact us."

Anyone with info can call BTP on 0800 40 50 40 reference 146 of 17/02/18 or text on 61016.

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