About 30 people escaped injury in the crash

Police are treating the incident, which took place near Dunloy at about 2230 BST on Monday, as attempted murder.

None of the 32 people on board the Belfast to Coleraine train was injured. The train was not derailed and the line which was closed has since reopened.

Detective Inspector Nick McCaw said two men who left the car on the line stood and watched the train crash.

"This was a totally mindless and reckless act.... if it hadn't been for the vigilance of the driver, lives could easily have been lost," he said.

The individuals who carried out this completely mindless act could have been waking up with the fatalities of many people on their consciences this morning Ciaran Rogan Translink

Mr McCaw said Northern Ireland Railways staff and the driver had told him the train could have left the tracks if its heavy diesel engine had not been at the front.

He said: "The train would have most probably derailed causing serious injuries and possibly even fatalities to some of the 30 passengers on board."

"He (the driver) managed to slow the train down but the train impacted with the car, kicking it about 400 metres up the track."

Two men were seen running away after leaving the car on the track.

It is understood the car, a maroon Vauxhall Astra registration NUI 6024, was recently sold at an auction.

"Police interviewed the driver after this and we have discovered that the two individuals, who we believe placed the car on the crossing, were standing at the crossing watching this accident occur," Mr McCaw said.

'Mindless act'

Translink spokesman Ciaran Rogan said the outcome of the accident could have been much worse had it not been for the driver's actions.

"The individuals who carried out this completely mindless act could have been waking up with the fatalities of many people on their consciences this morning," he said.

"I echo the praise for the driver who seems to have reacted in a very vigilant and alert fashion in bringing the train to a reasonable degree of slowness."

The railway line had been closed in both directions between Ballymena and Ballymoney while the car was separated from the train.

The line has now re-opened, although delays may be possible.