High-speed train bound for London ‘hits van on level crossing’ in village as vehicle bursts into flames (July 13)

[Jimini]

Linky (warning: Sun link).

A HIGH-SPEED train bound for London has "hit a van on a level crossing" in a village as it sets on fire with smoke billowing out of the vehicle.

Train services between Newington and Faversham have been severely disrupted after the train collided with a van off Lower Road in Teynham this afternoon.

The van is reported to have caught fire following the impact, at around 1.41pm, and an air ambulance is currently at the scene.

Emergency services, including British Transport Police, Kent Police, and fire and rescue crews, remain on site

As a result, all train services between Newington and Faversham are suspended.

Passengers have been told to expect delays, cancellations, and altered services until at least 3pm.

Southeastern Rail has activated a Customer Service Level 2 (CSL2) alert.

A spokesperson said: “A train has hit a van on the line at Teynham, blocking the route between Newington and Faversham. Police are on site and working to resolve the incident.”

Travellers are urged to check live journey updates before travelling and consider alternative routes.

There is currently no confirmation of injuries, but emergency services remain actively working at the scene.

 

[Trainguy34]

Saw about this earlier, didn't realise it to be this serious. Hope everyone is okay!

 

[trainmania100]

I'm guessing this was 1P34, so I presume 375908 and 605 which were on the diagram earlier although I was confused as the article says 1.41pm not 12.45 other sites are quoting

 

[Bungle73]

Don't know why the Sun are calling it a "high speed train" when it's nothing of the kind. It's a 375.

Saw about this earlier, didn't realise it to be this serious. Hope everyone is okay!

Been a death apparently.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

Looks to be 1P34 involved, which would have been 375s not 395s.


Edited: beaten to it - twice...

 

[james_the_xv]

Don't know why the Sun are calling it a "high speed train" when it's nothing of the kind. It's a 375.

To the layperson a 'High speed train' refers to a train travelling at high speed, with 'high speed' being subjective. I'd suggest this is on the lighter end of journos getting railway things wrong

 

[Pete_uk]

If the van burst into flames almost instantly then it's unlikely anyone inside would survive.

 

[cool110]

To the layperson a 'High speed train' refers to a train travelling at high speed, with 'high speed' being subjective. I'd suggest this is on the lighter end of journos getting railway things wrong

They're just so car minded that anything over 70 is high speed.

---

If the van burst into flames almost instantly then it's unlikely anyone inside would survive.

The Independent are confirming one killed

A person has been killed after a train struck a van at a level crossing in Kent.

Emergency services rushed to the scene of the crash off Lower Road in Teynham, near Sittingbourne, this afternoon.

Police confirmed a person was pronounced dead at the scene as shocking footage posted on social media appears to show the vehicle in flames.

The railway line between Newington and Faversham is blocked in both directions as officers investigate the tragedy.
...

 

[styles]

Reports of the death according to BTP:

Amazon delivery driver dies after train hits van at level crossing

The driver was thought to be delivering parcels at the time of the incident in Teynham, near Sittingbourne

www.independent.co.uk

“Officers were called to the line in Tonge just after 12.45pm today (13 July) following reports of a train striking a van.

“Paramedics also attended, however sadly a person was pronounced dead at the scene. The incident is currently being investigated.”

There's a few level crossings on 'Lower Road' in Teynham - wonder which it was. They vary considerably between wigwag crossings to user-controlled.

 

[trainmania100]

I'm guessing this was the crossing;

Google Maps

Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.

maps.app.goo.gl

Manually operated gates with what looks like from streetview just a simple latch anyone can open and cross. Ie you could probably cross with a vehicle without needing a key like some crossings do need.

There's a bridge down the road which would presumably have been quicker to go via rather than the hassle of phoning the signaller, and crossing ...assuming they did

 

[james_the_xv]

I'm guessing this was the crossing;

Google Maps

Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.

maps.app.goo.gl

Manually operated gates with what looks like from streetview just a simple latch anyone can open and cross. Ie you could probably cross with a vehicle without needing a key like some crossings do need.

There's a bridge down the road which would presumably have been quicker to go via rather than the hassle of phoning the signaller, and crossing ...assuming they did

From streetview, there's multiple signs instructing the user to call the signaller.

 

[321362]

Do we have confirmation that the fatality was a passenger (or driver) on the van, as opposed to being on the train? Seems much more likely but haven't seen any definitive source.

 

[Bungle73]

This has happened before, in almost the same location......

Investigators have found signs at a crossing where a train collided with a van were not “clear”.

A high-speed Javelin train to St Pancras struck a delivery vehicle while travelling at 85 mph on the tracks near Frognal Farm, off Lower Road, Teynham, at about 3pm on October 23.

Signs 'not clear' at train crash crossing

Investigators have found signs at a crossing where a train collided with a van were not “clear”.

www.kentonline.co.uk

 

[trainmania100]

Interesting to know how the signs could be at fault this time, assuming this is an up to date viewing

But then again, the photos in the sun article aerial view doesn't depict any visible signs from one side of the crossing at least that I can see, heck, one of the gates isn't even open

 

[styles]

Interesting to know how the signs could be at fault this time, assuming this is an up to date viewing

But then again, the photos in the sun article aerial view doesn't depict any visible signs from one side of the crossing at least that I can see, heck, one of the gates isn't even open

Yes if you can't gather from that side that you need to call from the phone at the side, you ought not to have a driving licence.

Only time will tell whether they did call the signaller, whether they were given correct information, whether they understood it, etc.

 

[brad465]

Is there a particular reason the line is closed between Gillingham and Sittingbourne? Sittingbourne has been the turnback point for mainline services during planned engineering works so would have thought trains could still get here while still keeping power off in the crash area?

 

[800001]

Is there a particular reason the line is closed between Gillingham and Sittingbourne? Sittingbourne has been the turnback point for mainline services during planned engineering works so would have thought trains could still get here while still keeping power off in the crash area?

Signaller may have been removed from duty, would that impact the area they could operate if they could not find a relief signaller? (This is speculation on my part as unfamiliar with how the signalling in that area is operated)

 

[edwin_m]

I can see at least nine signs on that photo. Crossing signage is in the course of being simplified, and about time too.

 

[Class15]

Is there a particular reason the line is closed between Gillingham and Sittingbourne? Sittingbourne has been the turnback point for mainline services during planned engineering works so would have thought trains could still get here while still keeping power off in the crash area?

Are you sure? There is a train reversing in Sittingbourne right now from the looks of signal maps?

 

[brad465]

Are you sure? There is a train reversing in Sittingbourne right now from the looks of signal maps?

I was going by the description on National Rail, which said between Gillingham and Faversham and up to Sheerness. It does appear though you are correct that Sittingbourne is still being accessed, however it does look like the Sheerness branch is seeing no service now.

 

[REO Nate]

This is the photo they are reporting on. Not 100% sure it’s the right crossing, but if it is, it’s got a red/green colour light system in place.

 

[trainmania100]

This is the photo they are reporting on. Not 100% sure it’s the right crossing, but if it is, it’s got a red/green colour light system in place.

One near me may show green but it really doesn't take long for the train to come after it changes to red. Maybe 60 seconds. Maybe less.

 

[Trainguy34]

Line looks to be in the process of re-opening, hoping everything's okay considering the 8 hour timespan.

Edit: Train is now on the move, reversing back up to Faversham.

 

[Dixie]

Do we have confirmation that the fatality was a passenger (or driver) on the van, as opposed to being on the train? Seems much more likely but haven't seen any definitive source.

Van driver

 

[weeklycommuter]

Do we have confirmation that the fatality was a passenger (or driver) on the van, as opposed to being on the train? Seems much more likely but haven't seen any definitive source.

The following report confirms that the fatality was the driver of the van.

https://www.itv.com/news/meridian/2025-07-13/one-person-killed-after-train-crashes-into-van-on-level-crossing

Amazon delivery driver dies after train crashes into van at Kent level crossing
Sunday 13 July 2025 at 8:37pm
An Amazon delivery driver has died after their van was hit by a train at a level crossing in Kent.
British Transport Police said it was called to an incident on the railway line in Tonge, near Sittingbourne, shortly after 12.45pm on Sunday.
Patrols remain at the scene, where they are assisting officers from the British Transport Police.
Local police, ambulance and fire and rescue services also attended, but the person died at the scene.
Southeastern Railway said services were expected to be disrupted until the end of the day, with no high speed trains via Gravesend or Medway Towns.
Rail replacement buses are in place between Gillingham and Faversham, and from Sittingbourne to Sheerness.
An Amazon spokesperson said in a statement: “This is a terrible incident and our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with the delivery driver’s family and loved ones during this difficult time.
“We will work with police and the delivery service provider as they investigate.”
It is understood the victim was delivering Amazon parcels when the incident happened.
The cause of the collision is under investigation.
David Davidson, chief operating officer at Southeastern Railway, said: “We are deeply saddened to confirm that the driver of the road vehicle involved in the collision with a train earlier today has tragically died.
“Our thoughts are with their family and loved ones at this incredibly difficult time.

 

[Gloster]

Line looks to be in the process of re-opening, hoping everything's okay considering the 8 hour timespan.

Edit: Train is now on the move, reversing back up to Faversham.

The set appears to be running slowly in the wrong direction back to Faversham, where it appears to be routed in to the Down Platform Loop.

 

[MadMac]

I can see at least nine signs on that photo. Crossing signage is in the course of being simplified, and about time too.

I’ve often said that with signage for the public, it’s very easy to get to a point of “information overload“ where the key point(s) get lost in the shuffle.

 

[Trainguy34]

The set appears to be running slowly in the wrong direction back to Faversham, where it appears to be routed in to the Down Platform Loop.

Looks to have gone off Traksy, am assuming thats P4? Would've expected it in the up sidings but there could be cab damage so wouldn't then be able to move.

 

[Gloster]

Looks to have gone off Traksy, am assuming thats P4? Would've expected it in the up sidings but there could be cab damage so wouldn't then be able to move.

It looks as though it is continuing right line along the Ramsgate Branch at reduced speed, presumably heading for Ramsgate Depot. A train in the opposite direction appeared to pass at normal speed. It is presumably being driven from the undamaged cab, which is now leading.

 

[NSEWonderer]

Only 700 ish meters away was the frognal farm incident with a 395 in 2017. Red and green crossing, I wonder if the gate was possibly left open?