The car was pushed some distance up the track by the train

The collision happened at about 1000 BST at the Halloon crossing on the A392 at St Columb Road, near Newquay.

The train, run by the company Wessex, was travelling along the branch line between Par and Newquay when it hit a green BMW.

An elderly couple were in the car. The lady managed to escape but the man had to be freed by firefighters using crash rescue equipment. No one was hurt on the train.

Sirens working

The car was pushed several feet up the track by the force of the crash. It is not known why the vehicle was on the track.

One eyewitness said: "I heard the sirens going on the actual line.

"Three or four seconds later I heard an almighty bang and saw the car getting pushed along by the train for what was only a couple of seconds, but they seemed very long seconds at the time."

Tests are being carried out on the rail track

Both the occupants of the car were taken to the Royal Cornwall Hospital in Treliske.

Their conditions were not reported to be life-threatening.

Three passengers on board the train, along with a guard and a driver, were uninjured.

The passengers taken to their destination by road.

Officers from British Transport Police have launched an investigation and a journey recorder from on board the train has been removed for examination to see if it will reveal any more details about the incident.

Tests are being carried out on the lights and alarms on the crossing and the train and car have been taken away for further examination.