Last updated at 13:50, Thursday, 06 December 2012

An 11-year-old boy is fighting for his life in hospital after the car he was in crashed onto a railway line.

Police believe the car, which crashed on the A69 between Greenhead and Haltwhistle, was hit by a freight train which left Carlisle a short time before.

The rail line runs parallel to the road at the scene of the accident, which happened at around 4.25pm yesterday (Wednesday).

A spokesman for Northumbria Police said: “The car, for reasons yet to be established, crashed onto the railway line and may have received a blow from a passing train.

“The train stopped further down the line and does not appear to have suffered significant damage and no-one aboard appears to have been injured.”

He said the injured boy was taken to the Royal Victoria Infirmary, in Newcastle, by air ambulance. No-one else from the car suffered serious injuries following the incident.

A spokesman for British Transport Police said: “BTP officers were called to the rail line in Greenhead, Northumberland, yesterday following a report of a train striking a car.

“The incident was reported to BTP at 4.35pm and was also attended by colleagues from Northumbria Police.

“The train involved, a Carlisle to Tollerton freight train service, remained upright and on the tracks.

“A young boy was removed from the car, a black Land Rover, and has been airlifted to Newcastle Royal Victoria Infirmary. Three people were treated at the scene for their injuries.

“Officers are working to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident. The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) has been informed.”

A Northumbria Police spokesman confirmed that the injured boy, whose identity has not been released, was in a critical condition, with potentially life-threatening injuries. Police want to hear from witnesses who can help them piece together how the accident happened.

Firefighters and paramedics battled in vain to save a man after his car crashed into a freezing river.

The man, described by police as from the local area, died in hospital after his car left the A595 and entered the River Lickle between the High Cross Inn at Broughton and Duddon Bridge.

First published at 19:19, Wednesday, 05 December 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk