A woman killed as she tried to move her car out of the path of an oncoming train has been named.
Teaching assistant Moira Koune, 30, of Spalding, Lincolnshire, was unable to reverse her car off the track in nearby South Drove and died at the scene.
Police said her Rover had skidded in icy conditions and hit an oncoming van before coming to rest on the rail line.
Witnesses said Ms Koune, who worked at Cowbit Primary School, had desperately tried to reverse her car off the track.
The driver and passenger in the van told police they tried to help Ms Koune but could not get to her before the train reached the crossing.
Her car was badly damaged by the impact and was pushed some distance up the track.
"She was the most loving and caring sister a brother could hope for"
Ms Koune's brother, Andrew, aged 32, said his sister was planning to marry her fiance later this year.
"As a family, we are devastated by the loss of our beloved Moira," said Mr Koune.
"Anyone who had the pleasure of meeting her will have had their lives touched by her kindness and generosity. She was the most loving and caring sister a brother could hope for."
Maureen Martin, head teacher at Cowbit Primary School, also paid tribute.
"As we are such a small, close-knit school, we are all devastated," she said.
"Staff and children all miss her like we would miss a family member.
"It is the school's wish to remember Moira and in discussion with her family we are looking to organise a service of remembrance."
No-one else was hurt in the incident but some people on the train were treated for shock.
A spokesman for Network Rail said all the equipment at the crossing had been tested and was working properly.
He added that the time between the barriers coming down and trains passing was set by the Rail Inspectorate.
Lincolnshire Police and British Transport Police have started an investigation into the death.
^ Back to top | BBC Sport Home | BBC Homepage | Contact us | Help | ©
~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~33~RS~)