A 72-year-old man and a 15-year old boy, understood to be grandfather and grandson, have been killed when their car was hit by a train at a level crossing.

The smash happened at 8.40am today on the tracks near Barns Green, between Horsham and Billingshurst, at the level crossing on Emms Road just to the south of the village.

The teenager has been named as Will Hallett and his grandfather is Barry Hearnshaw.

Detective Inspector Brett Walker from British Transport Police said: “This is an extremely tragic incident and our thoughts are with the family at this difficult time.

“Our officers have been working at the scene, and will continue to do so for the rest of the day, to ensure we gain as much information about how the collision happened.  

“People should expect some disruption to services in the area while we investigate. I would like to thank the community in Barns Green for their support and patience.

“Local people will see more of our officers in the area throughout the day and I would urge anyone who saw what happened, or feels they may have any information which would be relevant to our investigation, to contact us.”

A spokesman for Southern Rail told The Argus there had been no injuries or fatalities on the train, which was the 8.32am leaving Horhsam heading towards Bognor.

An air ambulance landed near the scene.

An eye-witness described the blue car the pair were travelling in as having been "disintegrated."

British Transport Police attented the scene alongside Sussex Police, the South East Coast Ambulance Service, air ambulance crews, and the Red Cross to look after passengers.

Train passengers were helped off the train and given hot drinks at the nearby Summers Pond campsite.

Campsite manager Matt Gale told The Argus none of the passengers were suffering from injuries and were picked up by rail replacement buses. Volunteers from the village also came by car to return passengers to Horsham station.

The crash has disabled the London to Portsmouth line, Southern Rail are accepting ticket replacements and diverting passengers via Brighton.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact BTP by calling 0800 40 50 40 quoting reference of 07/02/18.

Or text BTP on 61016. 

The Rail Accident Investigation Branch have been notified of this incident.