The tragic reason why trains in Blackburn are cancelled today (June 25) has been announced by the British Transport Police (BTP).
A person has died after a train hit a car and a child has been taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries.
The incident occurred at a level crossing in Hoghton shortly before 9am today, June 25.
It has led to major disruption to rail services across the region.
Two people were in the car, and one was pronounced dead at the scene. The second has been taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries.
Photographer Phil Taylor has shared pictures of emergency services at the scene.
A British Transport Police (BTP) spokesperson: “We are currently on scene at a level crossing in Hoghton, Lancashire, following reports at 8.50am today (June 25) that a train had struck a car.
"Paramedics and the fire service are also in attendance.
"Two people were in the car, and, sadly, one was pronounced dead at the scene, the other is being taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries.
"There have been no other injuries reported from passengers on the train at this time.
"Enquiries to establish the full circumstances of this incident are ongoing, and anyone who witnessed what happened who hasn't already spoken to police is asked to text 61016 quoting reference 152 of June 25.”
No injuries have been reported among passengers on the train.
The crash has caused significant disruption to rail services between Preston and Blackburn, with multiple cancellations and delays reported by train operator Northern.
Affected stations include Rochdale, Castleton, Mills Hill, Moston, Manchester Victoria, Salford Central, Salford Crescent, Bolton, Hall I' Th' Wood, Bromley Cross, Entwistle, Darwen, Blackburn, Ramsgreave and Wilpshire, Langho, Whalley and Clitheroe.
A spokesperson for Northern said: "There is disruption between Preston and Blackburn due to an obstruction on the track.
"Train services running through these stations will be cancelled."
One impacted service was the 11.21am Rochdale to Clitheroe train, which began its journey from Blackburn instead, bypassing all earlier scheduled stops.
Northern has advised passengers that tickets will be accepted on Northern, TransPennine Express and East Midlands Railway services within two hours before or after your cancelled service was due to depart.
Other affected services include the 9.46am Ormskirk to Preston train, the 9.49am Preston to Blackpool South service, and the 10.30am Blackpool South to Preston train.
Tricia Williams, managing director of Northern, said: “We can confirm the 7.51am Colne to Preston service was involved in a collision with a car at a level crossing in Hoghton this morning.
“Our thoughts are with the person who sadly died in the collision and the other passenger in the car who has been taken to hospital.
“There have been no injuries reported from passengers or staff who were on the train.
“We are now working to support the emergency services, Network Rail and Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) and will co-operate fully with the investigation into what happened.”
A spokesperson for the North West Ambulance Service said: "North West Ambulance Service responded to an incident in the Hoghton area of Lancashire after reports of a collision between a train and a car at 8.50am today (25 June).
"Several clinical teams attended the scene, including our hazardous area response team and two air ambulances.
"Sadly, a child has sustained life-threatening injuries and has been taken to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital for further treatment.
"No passengers travelling on the train required treatment from ambulance crews."
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