A police chase on Teesside saw a driver crash through railway barriers before narrowly missing a an oncoming train.

The incident happened at around 5.30pm last night (Sunday, December 11) on Station Road in Billingham.

Police closed the road for several hours and asked drivers to find an alternative route.

Initially reports suggested a police chase had resulted in a driver crashing through the level crossing barriers on Station Road.

Police have confirmed that this was the case this morning and added that the driver narrowly missed an oncoming train.

The Northern Echo: Picture: INCIDENTS ON TEESSIDEPicture: INCIDENTS ON TEESSIDE (Image: Picture: INCIDENTS ON TEESSIDE)

A spokesperson for Cleveland Police said: “A black BMW made off from police at speed before crashing through the barrier to the railway track, narrowly missing an oncoming train.

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“The road was closed for several hours whilst the barrier was repaired.”

Repairs to the level crossing were underway soon after the incident.

A spokesperson for Network Rail said last night: “We’re sorry to passengers delayed after Billingham level crossing was damaged by a car driving through the lowered barriers this afternoon.

"Our engineers are on site working as fast as they can to make repairs. Trains are running at slower speeds through the area so this evening people are advised to check National Rail Enquiries before they set off on their journey.”

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