A TRACTOR driver has been taken to hospital with what are believed to be minor injuries after his vehicle collided with a train at a level crossing near Knaresborough, in North Yorkshire.

Police have confirmed that a four-coach passenger train collided with a tractor on the level crossing at Flaxby at around 6.20pm.

The British Transport Police have said the tractor driver had been taken to hospital.

A Yorkshire Ambulance Service spokesman confirmed that they had taken one man to Harrogate District Hospital with what were thought to be minor injuries.

Other people had been assessed by paramedics on scene, she added.

The spokesman said they were called at 6.20pm to a farm crossing at Flaxby, and sent two air ambulances, a hazardous area response team, three road ambulances and three rapid response vehicles.

A British Transport Police (BTP) spokesman: "We were called to Oakwood Farm level crossing, Knaresborough at 6.19pm on Thursday, 14 May, after a report that a train had struck a vehicle.

"inquiries are ongoing to establish exactly what happened but at this stage it is believed the 5.29pm Leeds to York service struck a tractor on the crossing.”

He added: "The driver of the tractor has been taken to hospital for treatment.

"The Rail Accident Investigation Branch has been informed."

The incident was also attended by the North Yorshire Police Roads Policing Group and the North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service. 

There was heavy traffic disruption and the A59 was closed eastbound between junction 47 of the A1(M) and the Goldsborough roundabout.

The westbound carriageway reopened at around 7.40pm and the eastbound around 10 minutes later.

Buses replaced trains between Leeds and York via Harrogate.