An Amazon delivery driver died Sunday afternoon after his van was struck by a train at a level crossing in Teynham, Kent, England, causing major rail disruptions and triggering a multi-agency investigation.
Kent Police reported that the incident took place at approximately 12:45 p.m. on July 13, 2025, at the crossing on Lower Road between Tonge and Teynham. Emergency services, including police, ambulance crews, and fire rescue teams, arrived at the location, but the driver was pronounced dead at the scene.
According to British Transport Police, officers were dispatched to the railway line in Tonge after reports emerged of a train colliding with a van. The train involved belonged to Southeastern and was traveling between Gillingham and Faversham.
The van caught fire following the collision, with social media footage showing large plumes of black smoke rising from the site. Video evidence also depicted helicopters landing in nearby fields as emergency teams managed the situation.
Witness accounts reported by the Daily Mirror indicated that the van stopped on the track as the driver operated the manual crossing gates. A nearby worker noted that the driver exited his vehicle to close the first gate and was returning to the van when the train struck.
The crossing involved in the incident requires users to manually open and close gates on either side, leading to the driver stopping on the crossing. This is one of two such crossings on this stretch of road in Kent.
An Amazon spokesperson confirmed that the deceased was one of their delivery drivers and extended condolences to the family. The company stated it would cooperate with police and the delivery service provider during the investigation. The spokesperson mentioned that the driver was delivering Amazon parcels at the time of the incident.
David Davidson, chief operating officer at Southeastern Railway, confirmed no other injuries resulted from the collision. He stated that passengers on the involved train were transferred to another train and taken to Sittingbourne for continued travel.
The crash led to significant disruptions in rail services throughout Kent, with the line between Gillingham and Faversham completely closed. Southeastern implemented a replacement bus service to assist stranded passengers, with buses running between Gillingham and Faversham as well as between Sheerness and Sittingbourne.
Steve White, Southeastern’s managing director, confirmed that the company was fully assisting the Rail Accident Investigation Branch in their investigation to determine the circumstances of the incident.
The railway line between Gillingham and Faversham eventually reopened shortly after 8:30 p.m. on Sunday, although passengers continued to experience delays and service alterations for the rest of the day.
Multiple emergency services responded to the scene, including Kent Police, British Transport Police, South East Coast Ambulance Service, and Kent Fire and Rescue Service. An air ambulance was dispatched but was unable to save the driver’s life.
British Transport Police confirmed that the incident is not believed to be suspicious, and a file will be prepared for the coroner as part of standard procedures.
The collision occurred in the small village of Teynham, located between Sittingbourne and Faversham in Kent. This rural area is served by Southeastern Railway, which operates the majority of train services in and around Kent, connecting to London.