A 60-YEAR-OLD man died yesterday afternoon after a train hit his car at a level crossing in Frampton Mansell.

The man was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash just after 3pm yesterday.

The vehicle he was driving, believed to be a Land Rover, was struck by the 1.36pm service from London Paddington to Cheltenham Spa station at the unmanned level crossing near the Frampton Mansell viaduct.

It is believed that the train was travelling at around 50mph at the time of the collision.

Train services between Gloucester and Swindon stations were suspended as the rail lines were closed due to the crash.

There were 76 passengers onboard, who had to evacuate the train and wait at the Crown Inn in Frampton Mansell for alternative transport to be arranged.

A GWR worker at the scene told passengers that coaches would arrive to take them on to their destination station, but some people had decided to take taxis instead.

Nick Warriner, 18, from Stonehouse, said: "I was in the carriage and felt a slight bump and smelt a bit of smoke.

“I looked out the window and saw the car. We waited 20 minutes and it was announced we'd hit a car and to wait for further notice."

Stroud man Stuart Butler, who was on the train at the time, told the SNJ: “We should praise the driver who braked immediately in an attempt to avoid catastrophe, and praise the composure of the conductor.

“I also want to praise the stoicism and empathy of the passengers, the support services who got us off the train with ladders and Crown and their staff there too.”

A British Transport Police spokesman said yesterday: “At 3.10pm today we were called to a level crossing close to Frampton Mansell, Gloucestershire, following reports that a car had been struck by a train.

“Officers from BTP attended alongside paramedics from the South Western Ambulance Service however a man, believed to be the driver of the car, was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.

“Officers are now working to identify the man and inform his family.

“The car was struck by the Great Western Railway’s London Paddington to Cheltenham Spa service. There are no other reported injuries.

“At present, officers are currently examining the scene to establish the circumstances which led to the man’s car being struck.

“Anyone with any information is asked to contact BTP by calling 0800 40 50 40 quoting reference 311 of 07/02. Or you can send a text to BTP on 61016.

“This incident is likely to cause disruption into the evening, passengers are asked to check with National Rail Enquiries and Great Western Railways before travelling.

“The Rail Accident Investigation Branch have been notified of this incident.”

A spokesman for South Western Ambulance Service confirmed the death of the car driver.

The spokesman said: “The call was received at 3.03pm to Frampton Mansell to reports of a two-vehicle collision. There is one male casualty, who is 60-years-old.”

Rail replacement buses were operating at affected stations between Gloucester and Swindon, including Stroud and Stonehouse.

Great Western Railway tweeted this afternoon: “Due to an incident at a level crossing the lines between Swindon and Gloucester are currently closed.”