A person has died and a child has been taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries after a car was hit by a train at a level crossing.
Emergency services were called to the incident at 8:50am on Thursday, with the child taken to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital for treatment.
No injuries have been reported from train passengers and staff.
National Rail said that trains between Preston and Blackburn have been cancelled, with bus replacement services until 2pm.
BTP spokesperson: “We are currently on scene at a level crossing in Houghton, Lancashire, following reports at 8.50am today (25 June) that a train had struck a car.
“Paramedics and the fire service are also in attendance. Two people were in the car and sadly one was pronounced dead the scene, the other is being taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries.
“There have been no other injuries reported from passengers on the train at this time.”
Members of the public are being asked to avoid the area.
Tricia Williams, managing director of Northern, said: “We can confirm the 7.51am Colne to Preston service was involved in a collision with a car at a level crossing in Hoghton this morning.
“Our thoughts are with the person who sadly died in the collision and the other passenger in the car who has been taken to hospital.
“We are now working to support the emergency services, Network Rail and Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) and will co-operate fully with the investigation into what happened.”
Inquiries are onoing to establish the full circumstances of this incident. Witnesses are urged to text 61016 quoting reference 152 of 25 June.”
