A 92-year-old who died after his car struck the side of a train on a level crossing was yesterday named as Leonard William Maud.

The retired farmer was killed when his white Ford Escort hit the side of the passenger train in his home village of Rillington, near Malton, North Yorkshire, on Saturday.

An investigation into the accident is continuing but last night Sergeant Mark Seals, of the British Transport Police, said it appeared to have been a tragic accident.

One passenger on the 9.09amTranspennine Express train from York suffered slight injuries in the incident.

Eleven others escaped unhurt. The train driver was shocked, but uninjured. The accident took place at an automatic half-barrier level crossing on the York to Scarborough line shortly before 9.45am.

Sgt Seals said when the car hit the train, it was flung through the air into trees and barriers at the side of the track.

Witnesses said the crossing was working correctly on Saturday.

They also said the sun was low in the sky at the time of the incident.

Sgt Seals said: "An elderly gentleman was driving along and his car hit the side of the train - not the front of it.

"The car went into the barrier and the hedge, and the train finished up down the track.

"There doesn't appear to have been any mechanical failure on either the train or the crossing, but tests will now be carried out."

Villagers yesterday spoke of their sadness at the death.

One woman, who asked not to be named, said: "He must have travelled along that route every day of his life.

"He has three sons who also live in the village with their wives. Everybody is very shocked."

Another man said Mr Maud was a churchwarden and a pillar of the community.

Investigators are due to examine a black box recorder fitted to the train. However, police said the incident was not being treated as suspicious.

Passengers were taken to Scarborough in taxis.

The crossing remained blocked yesterday while investigations continued.