A person has died after a train struck a van at a level crossing in Kent, reportedly causing the vehicle to burst into flames.
Emergency services rushed to the scene in Teynham, near Sittingbourne, on Sunday.
Police confirmed a person was pronounced dead at the scene while footage circulating on social media appears to show the vehicle on fire.
A British Transport Police spokesperson said: “Officers were called to the line in Tonge just after 12.45 pm today (13 July) following reports of a train striking a van.
“Paramedics also attended, however, sadly, a person was pronounced dead at the scene. The incident is currently being investigated.”
The @Se_Railway is closed near Teynham following a train hitting a van on a level crossing.
— Steve White (@SteveWhiteRail) July 13, 2025
Replacement buses are operating between Gillingham & Faversham and Sheerness & Sittingbourne.
We are working with the emergency services.
Please follow @Se_Railway for travel advice👇 https://t.co/yJakuNohvC
Steve White, Managing Director of Southeastern, confirmed that a train had hit the vehicle at a level crossing.
He wrote on X: “The @Se_Railway is closed near Teynham following a train hitting a van on a level crossing.
“Replacement buses are operating between Gillingham & Faversham and Sheerness & Sittingbourne. We are working with the emergency services.”
TEYNHAM update: A London-bound train travelling at high speed reportedly hit a van on a level crossing off Lower Road this afternoon. The van reportedly caught fire following the collision. Air ambulance is at scene. pic.twitter.com/MINu4NAoVu
— Kent 999s (@Kent_999s) July 13, 2025
Social media reports claim that the train was a high-speed London-bound service and depict a vehicle in flames as police cordon off the area.
The railway line between Newington and Faversham was blocked in both directions as officers investigated the crash.
Commuters have been warned to expect disruption until 6 pm.
