THE driver killed when a passenger train hit his car on a North Yorkshire railway line has been named as Eric Ireland.

Mr Ireland, who was 77, was driving across the Ivy Lea rail crossing in Scampston, near Malton, at about 9.15am yesterday, when his car was struck by the 8.48am Scarborough to Liverpool Lime Street service.

Chief Inspector Derek O’Mara from British Transport Police said despite the efforts of emergency services, Mr Ireland was pronounced dead at the scene.

He said: “His family have been notified and specialist officers are providing support to them at this difficult time.

“The police investigation into the incident is ongoing. Officers are working hard to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident, including how the vehicle came to be on the tracks at the time, and are working closely with colleagues from the Rail Accident Investigation Branch to determine exactly what led to the collision.”