A 58-year-old man from has been arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving after a train struck a car at a level crossing close to Halling station yesterday.

Emergency services descended on the scene and all lines between Strood and Maidstone West were blocked for several hours after the incident, which happened just after 1.45pm.

British Transport Police say they have arrested a man from Longfield following reports a Southeastern train had "clipped a car" on the level crossing.

The man has been released under investigation whilst enquiries continue into the circumstances surrounding the collision.

Passengers were left trapped on the train after the crash, but were later escorted to a waiting bus to continue their journey.

Southeastern spokesman Paul Prentice said: “Unfortunately a number of passengers’ journeys were disrupted when the driver of the 13:34 Strood-Maidstone West train reported hitting a vehicle at North Halling Level Crossing at about 13:47.

“The train was carrying 24 passengers and two members of staff, and although there were no injuries to anybody on board the train, passengers were safely escorted by Network Rail and the emergency services to a waiting bus to continue their onward journey. The train was then taken out of service to be inspected for damage and the Medway Valley line resumed normal operation at 16:25.”

Anyone who was in the area at the time and saw what happened is asked to contact BTP by sending a text 61016 or by calling 0800 40 50 40 quoting reference 291 of 2 October.