Trapped woman killed on rail line

The victim's boot got stuck in wooden slats on the crossing

A woman was hit and killed by a train when her foot became trapped on a level crossing in Essex.

The victim's boot got stuck in wooden slats as she attempted to cross the line in Hythe Station Road, Colchester, while the barriers were down.

Two men attempted to pull her free as the train approached but were unable to release her and she was struck, British Transport Police (BTP) said.

One of the men suffered minor injuries in the accident on Thursday night.

A BTP spokesman said that the incident was not being treated as suspicious.

This was a tragic and harrowing incident for everyone concerned Det Insp Terry Pearce BTP

"A woman in her late 20s died at the scene after she attempted to cross the line when the barriers were down and got her foot stuck in the wooden guards of the crossing and became trapped," the spokesman said.

"Two men attempted to pull her free from the crossing as the train, which was travelling between 40mph and 50mph, approached."

The crash at 1950 GMT involved a service from London's Liverpool Street station to Clacton.

Det Insp Terry Pearce, of BTP, said: "This was a tragic and harrowing incident for everyone concerned.

"Level crossings can be very dangerous places and it is vital that members of the public use them in the correct way."

Two girls died on a level crossing in December 2005 at Elsenham station in Essex and this prompted a safety review at locations where pedestrians cross the tracks.

Olivia Bazlinton, 14, and Charlotte Thompson, 13, died when they were hit by a train. The Rail Safety and Standards Board report said the girls ignored crossing warnings and ran onto the tracks.