Farmer tells of tractor train crash terror

The London-bound train was only inches from being derailed between Glynde and Berwick stations, potentially causing a horrific accident and 'multiple deaths'.

Chris Brickell, 21, from Itford Farm, Beddingham, miraculously escaped without injury, but was left shocked and shaken.

The accident happened at around 3.15pm on Friday near the Firle turn off to the A27.

Mr Brickell said he had called a signaling station using a phone at the unmanned Loover Barn level crossing near Firle and was told it was safe to cross.

He told the Express: 'I pulled out and as I looked to my right there was a train coming towards me a few feet away, I would have seen it earlier but they don't trim the hedges back.

'I put the tractor into reverse, the wheels span but then the tractor moved back a few feet.

'Then there was a incredibly loud bang and I just sat in the driver's seat holding on to the steering wheel.

'The train must have been going at about 70mph and the weight at the front of tractor, which weighs about a one-and-a-half tons, was just smashed to pieces.

'It looked as if the train rocked quite a bit.

'If it had been a couple of inches closer it would have been a very different story, it probably would have derailed the train.'

The train was also damaged by the impact and stopped about a quarter of a mile down the line. There were no injuries

Rail services were disrupted for hours after the accident.

Lewes MP Norman Baker has asked the Government's railways minister to carry out full investigation into the incident.

He said: 'This was inches, or seconds, away from being an horrific incident.

'If the farmer had not reacted so decisively, and thank goodness he did, the train would have smashed into the tractor and trailer at speed and been derailed.

'It is no exaggeration to say that there could have been multiple deaths.'

A Network Rail spokesman said: 'Network Rail is carrying out a full investigation to further establish the details behind this incident, while the Rail Accident Investigation Branch also attended the scene to examine what had occurred.'