INCIDENT: Bunchrew AOC, Inverness 17/05/08

A car collided with a passenger train at an automatic open crossing near Inverness. Graham Macmillan was cut free from his Ford Focus after it was struck at Bunchrew crossing by the two-coach train en route to Wick. No injuries were reported on the train, which did not derail.

Highlands and Islands Fire and Rescue Service said the train struck the front of the vehicle and threw it forward, eventually landing on its side. The train stopped about a hundred yards further up the line. McMillan has since been subject of a report to the fiscal following an investigation.

The crossing has been identified by Network Rail as one of the 50 most abused in the country. Locals have often claimed that the lights do not always work and that there have been a number of near misses in the past.

Press and Journal: http://tinyurl.com/66v63e
Inverness Courier: http://tinyurl.com/5efg4c
BBC News: http://tinyurl.com/6rnocw
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UPDATE: The Office of Rail Regulation has said that it will investigate the complaints after it was provided with what locals say is photographic evidence of the lights failing to warn of an approaching train.

See photos and video: BBC News: http://tinyurl.com/5tpl7s

Photo: (c) BBC News