A signalman is still in hospital this morning after been injured yesterday when a car ploughed into the gates at East Farleigh level crossing as he was trying to shut them.

The injured man, named locally as grandfather Doug Caddell, was operating the gates at the time to halt traffic ahead of the arrival of a train on the Medway Valley line.

Police officers at the scene in Station Road shortly after the accident at 1.30pm said the railwayman had been taken to Tunbridge Wells Hospital with a head injury.

The car that struck Mr Caddell was the third in a line following over the crossing after the signalman had descended from his box to close the gates.

Network Rail said the approaching train had been stopped before it reached the site of the accident.

A spokesperson said: “We take the safety of our staff very seriously and we will support the Kent Police in their investigation into this incident.

“This underlines the difficult work Network Rail’s people do every day and our thoughts are with this signaller and his family.

“East Farleigh level crossing is due for replacement with a modern CCTV crossing in the next few years, which will remove the danger our staff face having to work on the road.”

Station Road was closed while emergency crews attended the accident, but was re-opened by 3.20pm. Trains on the line were running normally again soon after.