A GRANDFATHER and his teenage grandson died in a "ball of smoke and flames" as they were hit by a train at a level crossing.

Barry Hearnshaw, 71, was driving 15-year-old William Hallett to play in a football game in February last year when they were struck by a train travelling at 73mph near Horsham.

Both died at the scene of the half-barrier crossing at Barns Green, an inquest into their deaths heard.

Mr Hearnshaw's Kia Rio car was struck at 8.38am on Saturday February 17, less than 10 minutes after they had set off.

West Sussex coroner Penelope Schofield opened the hearing yesterday, and said family members had “strong views”. She told the jury to consider the evidence closely.

In a statement the family said: “We want to make it very clear as a family we don't believe in any way Barry would consciously put the life of himself and his grandson at risk at any point.

"Barry was definitely not a driver to take chances. The suggestion that he made a conscious decision to cross the railway whilst the barriers were down is absolutely absurd.

"He spent many days at the weekend watching Will play sport - it was one of his favourite activities."

A statement from trainer driver Mark Taylor told jurors he saw the green light at the signals. He then saw a “flash of blue”.

He said: “It just drove straight out in front of me. I immediately put the brake on emergency. There was a big explosion and a sound of glass smashing, then a ball of smoke and flames.”

Passengers on board the train described how they felt it had been derailed.

There was no CCTV footage of the crash as cameras were not operating at the time, the inquest heard.

Mr Hearnshaw's widow Jacqueline said in a statement that she considers half-barrier crossings, which cover only the left side of the road, "totally dangerous".

She said: "I'm also aware that CCTV has now been installed at this crossing and now question why this was not installed before."

Will was described as a “handsome, intelligent and extremely active” teenager who loved playing football and supported Chelsea.

He played for Horsham Sparrows and was a pupil at Tanbridge House School. He hoped to be an aircraft pilot.

Mr Hearnshaw was remembered as a "devoted" husband and father who dedicated himself to charity work after retiring as a headmaster.

The inquest before a jury at West Sussex Coroner's Court in Crawley was set to last for two days, and will resume today.