Brian Drysdale was among seven people killed when a train hit his car

Seven people died and some 71 were hurt after a train hit the car at a level crossing near Ufton Nervet, Berkshire.

Police are investigating whether the car's driver, Brian Drysdale, 48, from Reading, intended to kill himself.

His sister-in-law, Shirley Sadler, told the London Evening Standard's website: "He didn't have a bad bone in his body"

"I can't believe he'd commit suicide if he thought he'd kill other people."

Parents' shock

Mr Drysdale's parents, Keith and Etta, who are in their late 70s, said they are baffled as to why their son drove on to the tracks.

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In a statement released by their solicitor Michael Akehurst, the driver's parents, brother Ronnie and sister Carol expressed their deep shock and sadness at Saturday's devastating derailment.

The statement said: "The family have already given whatever assistance they can offer to help the official inquiries which have now commenced, and are willing to provide any further help during the course of these lengthy investigations.

"They have no information on the circumstances surrounding their son's death."

The lawyer said Mr and Mrs Drysdale were too upset to comment at this stage.

Clearing wreckage

Work to clear the wreckage from the accident site began on Monday night and is expected to last two or three days.

Supt Andy Ball, of the British Transport Police, indicated that it would take a further week to rebuild the track.

He said the rails on the line were "twisted and snapped like sticks".

Officers are searching for parts of Mr Drysdale's car, which have been scattered over about 75 yards.

They are also examining his mobile phone, found near the crash site.

But Supt Ball said there was no suggestion that Mr Drysdale was using it in the minutes leading up to the collision.

LEVEL CROSSINGS Main UK rail network has 7,937 level crossings More than 460 are "automatic half barrier" crossings like that involved in Saturday's crash Thousands of smaller crossings either have no barriers or barriers operated by person crossing Greatest cause of accidents at level crossings is "user mis-use", for example drivers zig-zagging round half barriers Mystery of rail tragedy car driver Match fan killed on way home

Supt Ball also said there was no evidence of alcohol in Mr Drysdale's blood, though that would be part of the post-mortem examination.

The other six victims of the crash were: train driver Stanley Martin, 54, from Torquay; Anjanette Rossi, 38, and her daughter Louella Main, 9; Emily Webster, 14, from Moretonhampstead, Devon; Barry Strevens, 55, from Wells, Somerset; and Leslie Charles Matthews, known as Charlie, 72, from Warminster in Wiltshire.

A total of 16 people remain in hospital in Reading and Basingstoke, 10 with serious injuries.

Officers have confirmed an off-duty policeman saw the car involved in the derailment drive onto the crossing while the barriers were up, then saw them close with the vehicle still on the track.

He tried to alert the emergency services but was unable to stop the First Great Western train hitting the stationary car and derailing at nearby points.

The BBC's Rachel Wright said reports suggested Mr Drysdale's car was on the track for quite some time before the crash, and was re-positioned shortly before the impact.

Mechanical defect

But police are also examining the possibility there may have been a mechanical defect with the silver Mazda.

Supt Ball said: "We owe it to the family of Mr Drysdale and all the victims and relatives that we conduct a full and proper investigation to try and find out exactly how this vehicle came to be there at that time."

Mr Drysdale, a chef, had finished work at nearby Wokefield Park golf club less than a hour before the accident and police said the level crossing was on his normal route home.

The 1735 First Great Western service from London Paddington to Plymouth collided with the car on the track between Newbury and Reading at about 1815 GMT.

Thames Valley Police wants all passengers who were on the train but did not attend hospital to contact them on 0870 0100732 between 0800 GMT and midnight so they can be checked off against the list of passengers.