‘Family’ die ‘instantly’ after their car is hit by high-speed train on level-crossing

Four people died ‘instantly’ after their car was hit by a high-speed train.

The tragedy took place on a level crossing on the Costa Blanca, Spain.

It’s believed the victims, three women and a man were part of the same family, local media reports.

The incident happened around 5.15pn on Friday afternoon at a railway station in Novelda near Alicante.

The Intercity train that crashed into the vehicle was travelling from Barcelona to Lora near Murcia, south-east of the country.

None of the passengers on board the train were injured in the smash, although one woman was treated for a panic attack.

Novelda mayor Fran Martinez went to the scene of the tragedy as soon as he was told the victims could be from Petrer, located nearby.

It’s said the four people died instantly due to the impact.

An investigation has been opened although initial reports from witnesses at the scene claim the victims may have driven through a closed barrier on the level crossing.

Mayor Martinez said witnesses found the level crossing barriers lowered and jumped them as the train was arriving.

After the horror crash, the train driver managed to brake 1,200 metres ahead.

Part of the damaged vehicle was embedded in the front of the train.

It’s believed neighbours informed the local police of Novelda of the incident, who raced to the scene with an ambulance.

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Fire crews were also at the scene attempting to remove debris from the front carriage.

Initially, authorities reported one of the victims was a child, but they then confirmed it was a man.

First emergency responders mistook the male victim for a minor.

Four coaches from the train had been mobilised to take the train passengers onwards to their destination after the accident.

Petrer, where the family are thought to be from, is just a 10-minute drive from Novelda, where the accident occurred.