Driver arrested after car carrying baby is hit by train at Suffolk crossing

Police at the scene of the accident in Trimley St Martin Picture: GEMMA MITCHELL (Image: Archant)

The driver of the car has been arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving following the crash on the railway line in Thorpe Lane, Trimley St Martin, around 11.15am yesterday.

Neither the male driver nor the young passenger – believed to be 16 months old – were seriously hurt, but they were taken to Ipswich Hospital as a precaution.

Speaking at the scene, sergeant Julian Ditcham from Suffolk Constabulary said the man had been arrested on suspicion on dangerous driving and other offences.

Sgt Ditcham added the driver and the girl sustained injuries that were not believed to have been life-threatening or life-changing.

The signs with instructions to drivers near the crossing at Trimley St Martin Picture: GEMMA MITCHELL (Image: Archant)

Lloyd Welham, 48, a mechanic who has lived next to the railway line for two years, told this newspaper how he jumped into action to help after hearing the collision.

He said: “I was in the garden and I heard the bang and I went rushing around and it was me who got the baby out the car.

“First all I could see was smoke and I went through the carriages and could see a mangled mess the other side.

“I jumped across the carriages to where the car was and there was someone there shouting get the baby out and I realised there was a baby in there.

Police at the scene of the crossing accident in Trimley St Martin Picture: GEMMA MITCHELL (Image: Archant)

“I got the baby out the car and passed the baby across the carriages to someone on the safe side and then I picked the driver up who was laying next to the car and looked after him until the paramedics got here.

“I wanted to make sure everyone was okay.

“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.”

Train services between Ipswich and Felixstowe have been cancelled for the rest of the day.

Lloyd Welham, who pulled the baby out of the car wreckage Picture: GEMMA MITCHELL (Image: Archant)

Rail replacement bus services are being put in place.

A spokesman for Greater Anglia said: “Passengers are advised that a freight train has struck a road vehicle on a level crossing between Derby Road and Trimley.

“The line between Ipswich and Felixstowe will be suspended until the close of service.”

Dozens of emergency responders were rushed to the scene, including ambulance medics and five fire crews, as well as engineers from Network Rail.

The crash happened in Thorpe Lane Picture: GEMMA MITCHELL (Image: Archant)

A spokesman for Brithsh Transport Police said: “Officers and other emergency services attending are currently making a full assessment of the scene.

“The driver is currently under arrest for driving related offences.”

A man has been arrested for driving offences Picture: GEMMA MITCHELL (Image: GEMMA MITCHELL)

Two people were taken to hospital Picture: GEMMA MITCHELL (Image: GEMMA MITCHELL)