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The train had to be evacuated by firefighters after it struck the car at Ivy Lea rail crossing

A 77-year-old man died when his car was struck by a train at level crossing in North Yorkshire, British Transport Police have said.

The crash happened at about 09:15 BST at Ivy Lea rail crossing in Scampston, near Malton.

No passengers are reported to have been injured but the train driver is being treated for shock, police said.

The train involved was the 08:48 Scarborough to Liverpool Lime Street TransPennine Express Service.

Services delayed

A British Transport Police representative said: "BTP officers are currently at the scene, alongside colleagues from North Yorkshire Police, Yorkshire Ambulance Service and North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue service.

"Sadly, the driver of the car, who is believed to be a 77-year-old local man, has died.

"Officers are currently working to safely remove passengers from the train and transport them to the nearest station to continue their journeys."

Rail services in the area will be delayed as a result of the crash and passengers are advised to check with National Rail Enquiries before they travel.

'Loud bang'
 
Dog walker Annie Wilson told BBC Radio York she had heard the sound of a collision moments after seeing a man driving close to the crossing.

She said: "I stopped along Ivy Lea because there was a gentleman in a car waiting to turn into Ivy Lea, and I stopped to let him go through the crossing - I assume that's where he was going because it's quite a narrow track there, and carried on across the field.

"I must have been about 400m away and I heard a loud bang, and then heard all the horns of the train so I wasn't entirely sure what had happened.

"I didn't make any link between a car or anything, I just heard a bang from the train, and then... saw another train come along from the other direction and both trains sounding their horns and stopped there. I carried on away and then heard all the sirens."