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Motorist fined for driving car across railway tracks

A motorist has been fined after driving his car across a railway track in front of an oncoming train.

Peter Burns, 56, of Ffairfach, Carmarthenshire, was fined ^500 plus ^85 costs for attempting to cross the line near Llandeilo without permission.

Footage from onboard the train shows Burns driving right in front of the Arriva passenger service.

PC Phil James of British Transport Police said Burns's actions were "reckless and dangerous".

"Fortunately, the impact during this collision was minimal. However, had the train arrived just a split-second sooner, it could have been a very different story," he said.

"This incident just goes to show how a momentary lapse could have had fatal results."

That could so very easily have been a derailment. A Land Rover Defender is a solid piece of kit with a very strong and rigid chassis. A full side on impact...

Mr Burns should be thankful his recklessness only cost him ^585. It could so easily have been his life, and the lives of others.

A commuter train has hit a vehicle at a level crossing north of New York City, killing at least seven people and injuring 12, officials say.

The train, with about 800 passengers on board, hit the Jeep Cheroke near Valhalla - about 20 miles (32km) from New York - on Tuesday evening.