Tourist train derails after hitting tractor on level crossing

Firefighters were called after a miniature steam train collided with a farm tractor on an unmanned level crossing at Dymchurch, Kent.

The accident – which caused the locomotive and first carriage to be derailed – happened at 1440hrs on Saturday (10 September).

© FameFlynet

Fire crews set about making the scene safe, including securing the locomotive’s boiler, which was thought to be at risk of exploding.

The remaining 12 carriages were unaffected.

See also: How farmers can stay safe on level-crossings

Five people, including the train driver, were treated at the scene by paramedics for minor injuries.

The rest of the approximately 50 passengers were checked over as a precaution but there were no further reported injuries.

Photos posted on Twitter showed the locomotive lying on its side. A Fendt tractor and trailer containing large straw bales appeared to be parked nearby.

Thousands of tourists travel on the 15in gauge railway, which runs for 13½ miles from the Cinque Port town of Hythe, terminating at Dungeness on the Kent coast.

Local roads were closed and alternative transport arranged for stranded passengers. The railway reopened after the line was closed to all trains until the derailment could be resolved.