A MOTORIST from Poulton died when his car plunged 20ft down a steep roadside embankment and was hit by a passing Blackpool-bound train.

Businessman Frank Kelly, 64, of Riverside Drive, Hambleton, was killed on Wednesday, August 15, when his limited edition blue Mercedes swerved off Church Road on the B560 at Great Plumpton, between Weeton and Kirkham.

The vehicle was found on the railway track at 6.40am, close to the M55 overbridge. Salford-born Mr Kelly, who is well known in the Fylde area, was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency rescue workers.

His car had been hit by the 06:14 Wigan North Western to Blackpool North train and wrecked as it was dragged along the line underneath the train. Emergency services, including fire crews from Wesham, South Shore and Fulwood spent the morning cutting out the body and clearing debris. The only passenger on board the empty stock train was its driver who was treated for shock at Blackpool Victoria Hospital.

Train services between Blackpool and Preston were affected during the clean-up operation, with buses used to get passengers to their destinations.The line re-opened at 1pm.