Overview
- The collision took place on Thursday, June 25 when the 7.51am Colne-to-Preston Northern service struck a car at the Station Road level crossing in Hoghton.
- A woman was pronounced dead at the scene and an eight-year-old girl was flown to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital with life‑threatening injuries now described as critical but stable.
- Emergency teams including hazardous‑area paramedics, two air ambulances, fire crews and police responded and train services between Preston and Blackburn were initially cancelled.
- British Transport Police and the Rail Accident Investigation Branch are carrying out active enquiries and BTP has launched a criminal investigation while urging witnesses to contact them.
- Local residents reported the car travelled along the track before impact and raised concerns about barrier coverage, claims investigators will examine as the community mourns and leaves tributes.