A person has died and a child was rushed to hospital with life-threatening injuries after a car was struck by a train at a level crossing. Emergency services, including paramedics, police officers, firefighters and air ambulances were scrambled to Station Road, in Hoghton, this morning, following reports of a collision between a train and a car at a level crossing.

A North West Ambulance Service spokesperson said: "We 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."

Nobody on the train needed the support of paramedics, the ambulance service added, as reported by LancsLive.

South Ribble Police, which attended alongside British Transport Police (BTP) officers, urged motorists to avoid the area for the time being.

An investigation is underway to establish the circumstances surrounding the collision.

A BTP spokesperson said: "We are currently on scene at a level crossing in Hoghton, Lancashire, following reports 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 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."

Any witnesses are asked to text 61016 quoting reference 152 of 25 June.