Van driver hurt in collision with train at Caithness crossing

A MAN has been injured after a train crashed into a van at a level crossing, police said today.

The driver of the van had to be cut free following the collision with a passenger train.

Police said the incident took place at the level crossing at Halkirk in Caithness at about 11.45am.

Three people were killed when a train hit a car at the crossing there in September last year.

Northern Constabulary said that five passengers and three members of staff had been on board the Inverness to Wick train when today's accident took place.

But a spokeswoman for the force said no-one on the train had sustained any injuries.

She added that the van driver was taken to Caithness General Hospital for medical treatment after suffering "minor injuries".

Police officers, the British Transport and other members of the emergency services were all called out to the scene.