Passengers are left stranded on 'boiling' train after hitting a van on level crossing 'at high speed'
The train hit 'an obstruction on the track' at Lower Road in Teynham, Kent, according to Southeastern Railway.
'On the train home from Margate and it's just hit a van head on,' a passenger wrote on Facebook. 'Sent it flipping.'
In another post, an eyewitness claimed the train was travelling at 90mph when the collision occurred.
The van reportedly caught fire following the 'high speed' crash.
An air ambulance and ambulance are in attendance at the scene.
Passengers stranded on the train quickly took to social media to alert Southeastern Railway of the hot conditions onboard.
'Any chance you can turn on the AC?' one passenger asked. 'It's getting boiling on this train.'
Another wrote: 'Are passengers going to be let off the train? The train is getting very warm and passengers are feeling unwell.'
'A plan is being worked on to allow passengers to exit as soon as possible,' Southeastern Railway replied. 'However, we don't have an exact time for when that will be.'
Thankfully, the train doors were opened just before 2pm this afternoon.
In a post on X, Southeastern Railway said they are 'still waiting on confirmation of the severity of the incident'.
Disruption between Canterbury East and London Victoria is expected until 6pm.
In the meantime, replacement buses are running between Gillingham and Faversham as well as Sittingbourne and Sheerness.
'Use your ticket at no extra cost on Fastrack buses between Ebbsfleet & Gravesend ,' a spokesperson for Southeastern Railway advised.
Steve White, the Managing Director of Southeastern Railway, wrote on X: 'The @Se_Railway is closed near Teynham following a train hitting a van on a level crossing.
'Replacement buses are operating between Gillingham & Faversham and Sheerness & Sittingbourne.
'We are working with the emergency services.'
MailOnline has contacted Southeastern Railway for comment.
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