A major emergency response was triggered in Essex this morning after a high-speed train collided with a lorry at a level crossing, leaving five people requiring hospital treatment.
The dramatic incident occurred near Chappel and Wakes Colne station, where the train struck the heavy goods vehicle around 11am. Emergency services, including multiple ambulance crews, fire engines, and police units, rushed to the scene amid concerns for passenger safety.
Emergency Response and Injuries
According to the East of England Ambulance Service, five patients were transported to hospital for further assessment and treatment. While their injuries are not believed to be life-threatening, the collision caused significant disruption to rail services throughout the region.
An ambulance service spokesperson confirmed: "We were called at 11.05am with reports of a collision between a train and a lorry. We sent multiple resources to the scene, including ambulance crews and our hazardous area response team."
Travel Chaos and Investigation
The crash caused immediate and widespread disruption to rail services, with Greater Anglia confirming that all lines between Marks Tey and Sudbury were blocked. Replacement bus services were hastily arranged as engineers worked to assess damage to both the train and railway infrastructure.
Network Rail engineers were dispatched to examine the level crossing and surrounding track, while British Transport Police launched an investigation into the circumstances that led to the collision. The incident has raised fresh concerns about level crossing safety across the UK's rail network.
Passengers described a scene of confusion and concern as emergency services worked to secure the area and evacuate those on board the damaged train. The lorry involved in the collision sustained significant damage in the impact.
