Crossing safety call after death

Investigators examine the scene of the collision

The government has been asked to review the safety of level crossings after a man died when a 100mph (161km/h) train hit the car he was driving.

John White, 56, died when the One Railway train hit his Vauxhall Astra at Swainsthorpe, Norfolk, on Thursday.

South Norfolk MP Richard Bacon has asked ministers to look at the issue of crossing safety.

The government said the issue it was being addressed by the Office of the Rail Regulator (ORR).

'Biggest risk'

Mr Bacon, South Norfolk MP, said he was concerned that Mr White's death was the third fatality on the half-barrier crossing in two years.

"It was only Wednesday that the ORR came up with a new policy in which it stated that level crossings were the single biggest risk for passenger and road fatalities on the whole rail network, so I think this is something that needs looking at," he said.

A spokesman for the Department for Transport (DfT) said: "The DfT would want to follow the advice of the safety regulator."

British Transport Police said the train had remained upright and had not derailed.

The crossing was an automatic half-barrier type which is controlled by lights.

There were 44 passengers on the train who were taken on to Norwich by coach.