The British Transport Police have issued a statement after a fatal collision in West Lancashire.

Officers were called to a level crossing in Burscough this afternoon after reports came in that a train had collided with a van.

Paramedics and the fire service attended, and sadly, a man, who was the sole occupant of the van, has died as a result of the collision.

Two passengers on the train have sustained minor injuries.

Police say that they are not treating this incident as suspicious.

Train services have been suspended due to the incident, with disruption expected until end of day on 30th August 2026.

Network Rail says that they are working with Northern and the Police to carry out an investigation into why the incident happened.

We were called to a level crossing in Burscough, West Lancashire following reports at 3:18pm today (29 August) that a train had struck a van. Paramedics and the fire service also attended.

One person was in the van and sadly a man was pronounced dead at the scene. Two people who were passengers on the train received treatment for minor injuries. The incident is not being treated as suspicious.

Enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances of what happened, any witnesses who haven’t already spoken to police are asked to text BTP on 61016 quoting the reference 373 of 29 August.

BTP Spokesperson

Train services are currently suspended between Southport and Manchester while emergency services respond to an incident at Martins Lane level crossing in Burscough, West Lancashire.

Network Rail spokesperson