Mystery still surrounds the cause of a horrific accident at Moreton-on-Lugg level crossing after which a 52-year-old Marden woman died.
Jane Harding, who was a passenger in a car driven by her husband, Mark, was airlifted to hospital but died following the collision involving the Manchester to Milford Haven Arriva train and one other car on Saturday at 10.30am.
Their car was shunted down the line before the train shuddered to a halt.
Chief Inspector Kevin Marshall, of British Transport Police, said: “It is too early to say what caused the accident and we are keeping an open mind. Over the next few days the position will become clearer.”
It has not yet been established how the cars came to be on the track.
Despite reports that the barriers were up at the time of the accident, an independent safety check has found that they are in full working order.
The level crossing has a signal box, barriers across the full width of the road and features six red lights on each side which flash when a train approaches.
Chief Inspector Marshall added: “We will be interviewing the train driver, the drivers and passengers in the cars involved and any other witnesses in an attempt to build up a fuller picture of events.
“Our thoughts are with Mrs Harding’s family at this difficult time.”
On Saturday, rapid response vehicles were quickly on the scene.
Mark Harding, 51, suffered a broken pelvis. A mother and 12-year-old daughter in the other car were taken to hospital and treated for minor injuries.
Others on the scene, including the train driver, were treated for shock.
Train services were suspended until Sunday evening and the road was closed between the villages of Moreton-on-Lugg and Marden.
British Transport Police, West Mercia Police and Network Rail have been investigating the cause of the collision with the Arriva Wales train.
The Rail Accident Investigation Branch was also being called in and police have appealed for witnesses to come forward.
A former hairdresser, Mrs Harding was a volunteer at St Michael’s Hospice.
Mr Harding is connected with Westfields Football Club. The couple have a teenage son, Joe.
