A man arrested after the car he was driving with a baby inside was hit by a freight train at a level crossing in Suffolk has been released under investigation.
The driver of the Peugeot 307 was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving following the crash on the railway line in Thorpe Lane, Trimley St Martin, around 11.15am yesterday.
The 17-month-old passenger was not seriously hurt but was taken to hospital as a precaution.
British Transport Police (BTP) tonight confirmed the driver, a 34-year-old man, had been released under investigation and remained in hospital where he was being treated for his injuries, which were not believed to be life-changing or life-threatening.
A BTP spokesman said police inquiries into the incident were continuing.
Suffolk Constabulary confirmed the barriers for the crossing appeared to be working correctly at the time of the collision.
A mechanic who lives nearby told this newspaper how he rescued the baby girl from the wreckage of the car.
Lloyd Welham, 48, said: “You just want to make sure everyone is safe and sound so I did what anyone normal would have done. I didn’t do anything special, not in my opinion.”
Mr Welham said he also helped lead the driver to safety after he found him laying injured near the car.
His fiancée Kerry Donoghue, 46, said it was a “miracle” the baby was unhurt.
Dozens of emergency responders were rushed to the scene, including ambulance medics and five fire crews, as well as engineers from Network Rail.
Train services between Ipswich and Felixstowe were cancelled for the rest of the day.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here