Llandrinio firm's van in rail collision

A van driver narrowly escaped serious injury after his vehicle was struck by a train on a level crossing near Carno, Newtown today.

The van, belonging to a Llandrinio dairy engineering company, was struck at around 12.35pm on the Cambrian Line at Pikins Crossing, close to Tallerddig, near Carno. The van driver, named locally as Daniel Bellis aged 36, was airlifted to hospital after being treated by paramedics at the scene. It is understood he suffered chest and back injuries.

The van was pushed into a ditch in the collision andhad to be removed by a crane. Four fire crews were also called to the scene.

The van belonged to BD Atkins Dairy Engineers of Llandrinio, near Welshpool.

None of the passengers on the 10.09 between Birmingham and Aberystwyth were injured, although the train driver was said to be "shaken."

The level crossing is unmanned and has to be crossed after motorists open and shut gates manually.

Bus services were temporarily put in place to replace train services until early this evening when the line was re-opened. An investigation has been launched by British Transport Police.