Land Rover smashed into by train on level crossing as driver is airlifted to hospital

A MAN suffered a severe head injury after his Land Rover was hit by a train between Cambridge and Ely.

The man, thought to be in his 40s, was airlifted to hospital after the 4x4 was struck at a level crossing near Waterbeach in Cambridgeshire.

The East of England Ambulance Service said it received a call at 2.34pm today and attended the scene where the man was "critical".

The train travelling between Cambridge and Ely hit the vehicle in the village of Waterbeach just six miles north of the city earlier this afternoon.

The collision involved a Great Northern King's Lynn to London King's Cross train.

Network Rail said there are "clear instructions" telling people to phone a signaller to ask permission to cross, but no call was received.

Spokesman Ross Easton said: "We can confirm that the signaller did not receive a telephone call prior to this incident and the telephone system was working correctly."

Mr Easton confirmed the rail operator is looking into whether a call was received before the incident.

Paramedics were called to the scene and the male patient was airlifted to Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge by the East Anglian Air Ambulance service.

Train firm Abellio Great Anglia confirmed that all train services from Cambridge to Ely were cancelled.

British Transport Police said they were "on the railway line between Cambridge and Ely after reports a train had struck a vehicle on a level crossing".

Police were alerted just after 2.30pm.

A spokesman said: "Officers are being supported by local ambulance colleagues and are treating a man for injuries at the scene."

A passenger on the train told The Sun it had been "badly hit" by the car and while everyone on board was "calm and ok", rail staff were being given "additional support".