A TRAIN packed with commuters including schoolchildren was hit by a reversing car as it passed through a level crossing.
The driver of the car escaped uninjured after he reversed into the side of a moving train at Bourne End Marina's level crossing on Friday.
The accident happened just after 4.15pm as the 4.09pm Marlow to Maidenhead Thames Trains train was passing the level crossing a train route used daily by pupils of Sir William Borlase's Grammar School in Marlow.
Traffic police told the Free Press the driver of a white Escort reversed into the side of the train which was only travelling at 10mph.
Sgt Barry Carpenter of the British Transport Police said: " If the train was travelling any faster it could have derailed. It would have been a lot worse if he (the car driver) had hit the front of the train."
The route between Marlow and Bourne End was reopened at 7.50pm after the car was removed and safety checks were carried out.
Traffic police are investigating but are not treating it as suspicious.
January 23, 2003 10:00
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