Two-year-old boy hit by train

Police are investigating why a young boy was hit by a train at a level crossing in Peterborough. No one else was injured in the accident and police are baffled surrounding the circumstances. Emergency services immediately closed the crossing and all trains services were suspended while the investigation took place.

The two-year-old was struck by the 14:41 Lincoln to Peterborough train that was passing through Peakirk in Peterborough. In a statement officers confirmed that the young boy was dead after being hit by the train. The also said the relatives of the youngster had been informed and they are preparing their file for the coroner.

The incident was reported to police at just after 16:00 when a lady who lives near to the level crossing heard a woman screaming followed by a lot of commotion. Passersby rushed to scene of the accident but there was nothing they could do for the youngster.

According to a neighbour the gates for level crossing had just been adapted to a push mechanism so a bolt no longer had to be undone to gain access to the track. There is a school on one side of the line and everyday there are hoards of school children who use the crossing to get to school. It also has no lights or warnings to say when a train is approaching.