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http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/uk/northern_ireland/newsid_689000/689661.stm

Friday, 24 March, 2000, 18:41 GMT

Title: Woman dies in train crash

The scene of the fatal crash

A woman has died and two people have been injured in a collision involving a passenger train and a car in Northern Ireland.

The incident happened at a level crossing at Cullybackey in County Antrim at 1510 GMT on Friday. The dead woman, who is thought to be 73-years-old, had been in the car.

All we can say is, from our very early investigations, there does not seem to be a problem with our equipment Ciaran Rogan, Translink

The driver and guard of the train have been taken to hospital, but their injuries are not believed to be serious. None of the 88 passengers on board the train have been hurt.

The train was en route from Belfast to Londonderry when the accident occurred at Station Road in Cullybackey.

It is understood that the car was pushed up to 300 yards along the railway track with the impact of the collision.

Senior ambulance training officer George Stott described the scene which the emergency services faced.

"The female occupant of the car did not survive the crash. The crew removed the train driver and the guard to the hospital for a checkup.

"Passengers were checked to make sure there were no injuries, we then liaised with the police and the fire service regarding the person who was still in the car."

'Terrible tragedy'

Bus and rail company, Translink, have begun an investigation into the cause of the crash.

Company spokesman Ciaran Rogan described the incident as a "terrible tragedy" and expressed sympathy to the family of the woman who died.

He said it could be some time before all the facts of what appeared to be a "tragic accident" were known.

"All we can say is, from our very early investigations, there does not seem to be a problem with our equipment," he said.

"The barrier, the level crossing at the scene were working as required.

"It is difficult to say how long the investigation will take. They go into huge amounts of details, they are very thorough.

"It could be a matter of weeks or months before we have a final report."

Mr Rogan has urged everyone to be extra vigilant around railway crossings.

The level crossing was closed for some time following the collision.

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-- (Dee360Degree@aol.com), March 24, 2000