This was the alarming moment a train went through a level crossing with the barriers still up.

A car driver in Sandwich, at first not realising the Southeastern service was coming, had to slam on his brakes while on the track and reverse to avoid being struck, say witnesses.

A woman pedestrian says she missed being hit by the train by nearly 30 seconds.

The concerning incident happened at the Woodnesborough Road level crossing about 4.30pm yesterday.

It involved a train coming from Ramsgate.

Network Rail and Southeastern have launched a full investigation following the terrifying near-miss.

Eyewitness Colin Buckle, who lives 200 to 300 yards from the crossing, took a photograph of the scene after the driver’s narrow escape.

He told KentOnline: “I was walking from my house and at first I saw the car reverse off the track and then suddenly the train appeared.

“I took the photograph as soon as the train stopped.

“What surprised me was there was not the usual sound you get from the level crossing as the train was approaching.

“It was just as well that there were no pedestrians crossing at the time. It all could have been a lot worse.”

Mr Buckle spoke to the shocked motorist, who was unhurt, and advised him to report what had happened to the British Transport Police.

Samantha Foord, of Deal, believes she missed being hit by the train by 20 to 30 seconds.

She was leaving her workplace in Sandwich and walking over the level crossing to get to her car to drive home.

She told Kent Online: “As I crossed, the barrier was up and there was no warning beeping noise and no flashing re lights. But then I saw the train coming. I got across but I think it missed me by 20 ro 30 seconds,.

“It was surreal for a moment because I thought the train can’t be there since the barriers are up. I couldn’t believe this had happened. I use that crossing twice a day to get to and from work.

“I feel angry that my life was put at risk because somebody didn’t do their job properly.”

The lights did flash by the time the train had stopped and Mr Buckle had photographed it.

Ms Foord got a fuller picture of what had happened that evening by viewing Mr Buckle’s post on the incident, with the phtograph, on the Sandwich Town Kent Facebook page. It attracted 124 comments by ths afternoon (Wednesday).

One woman commented: “Can you imagine if we had been on horses?”

Another said: “That could have been tragic.”

A third posted: “This is my biggest fear, hate going over train crossings.”

A Network Rail spokesperson said: “A train passed a signal at danger and came to a stop over Sandwich level crossing on Tuesday.

“We are now working closely with Southeastern to conduct a full investigation.”

Scott Brightwell, Southeastern’s operations and safety director said: "Safety is always our first consideration and a joint investigation has been started by Southeastern and Network Rail to determine the cause of this incident.

“We can also confirm that as it unfolded the driver activated the train’s emergency brake and before it entered the level crossing, safety equipment activated, alerting pedestrians and road users with lights and sirens”.