Woman Drives Down Train Tracks

An 85-year-old woman had a lucky escape after driving down a high-speed railway line for 80 yards after taking a wrong turn at a level crossing.

The woman had a 20-year-old man in her car as she drove towards Brockenhurst station in the New Forest.

She turned on to the main line between Bournemouth and London Waterloo and drove for 80 yards on the tracks before her car came to a halt.

A British Transport Police spokesman said: "BTP and Hampshire Police officers attended the line near to Brockenhurst rail station after a report that a car had been driven on to the line from the level crossing.

"Paramedics from the South Central Ambulance Service are also on scene. An 85-year-old woman driver and 20-year-old man were in the car at the time have been treated for shock, but no other injuries have been reported.

"Officers are currently on scene whilst the vehicle is removed by recovery vehicles."

Rail services in the area were disrupted as a result of the incident, with buses brought in to replace trains.