Farmer killed as train crashes into tractor in Co Derry

A man was killed after a train crashed into his tractor on a crossing near Limavady in Co Derry yesterday.

A man was killed after a train crashed into his tractor on a crossing near Limavady in Co Derry yesterday.

The elderly victim, named locally as James Craig, is understood to have died at the scene of the crash.

None of the train passengers was reported to have been injured.

As the emergency services attended the scene, where the tractor was wedged under a carriage, officials from Translink launched an investigation.

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Mr Craig, who was in his early 70s, was a well-known farmer from the Myroe area of Limavady.

Shocked passengers spoke of hearing a loud bang and seeing smoke and sparks flying after the incident.

Amid speculation that the victim's tractor may have become stuck on the crossing, Francie Brolly, a Sinn Féin MLA for East Derry, called for urgent safety checks. "I want to offer my sympathy to the family of the victim," he said.

"Maybe it's time those responsible had another look at the safety of the line for people who have to cross it in the course of their business.

"There have been a few accidents on this stretch of line. Two schoolboys were killed a few years ago and a lady was killed in her car." The track between Castlerock and Derry was closed as the scene was examined.