An Amazon delivery driver died Sunday afternoon after a train struck his van at a level crossing in Teynham, Kent, England, prompting major rail disruptions and a multi-agency investigation.
The collision occurred at approximately 12:45 p.m. on July 13, 2025, at the crossing on Lower Road between Tonge and Teynham, according to Kent Police. Emergency services including police, ambulance crews, and fire rescue personnel responded to the scene, but the driver was pronounced dead at the location.
British Transport Police confirmed officers were called to the railway line in Tonge following reports of a train striking a van. The incident involved a Southeastern train traveling on the route between Gillingham and Faversham.
The van caught fire following the impact, with footage shared on social media showing large plumes of black smoke billowing from the crash site. Video evidence also captured helicopters landing in fields adjacent to the railway line as emergency crews worked to manage the situation.
According to witness accounts reported by the Daily Mirror, the van had stopped on the track while the driver was operating the manual crossing gates. A witness working nearby indicated the driver had 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, which led to the driver stopping on the crossing. This particular crossing is one of two located on this stretch of road in Kent.
An Amazon spokesperson confirmed the deceased was their delivery driver and expressed condolences to the family. The company stated it would cooperate with police and the delivery service provider during the investigation. The spokesperson noted that the driver was delivering Amazon parcels when the incident occurred.
David Davidson, chief operating officer at Southeastern Railway, confirmed no other injuries resulted from the collision. He explained that passengers aboard the involved train were transferred to another train and taken to Sittingbourne for continued travel. Davidson said, “We are deeply saddened to confirm that the driver of the road vehicle involved in the collision.”
The crash caused significant disruption to rail services throughout Kent, with the line between Gillingham and Faversham completely closed. Southeastern implemented a replacement bus service to accommodate stranded passengers, with buses operating between Gillingham and Faversham as well as between Sheerness and Sittingbourne.
Steve White, Southeastern’s managing director, confirmed the company was fully assisting the Rail Accident Investigation Branch with their investigation to determine exactly what happened. He indicated the operator was working to reopen the line later that evening and expected to resume full service by Monday.
The railway line between Gillingham and Faversham eventually reopened shortly after 8:30 p.m. on Sunday, though passengers continued to experience delays and service alterations throughout the remainder of the day.
Multiple emergency services agencies 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 also dispatched but was unable to save the driver’s life.
The Rail Accident Investigation Branch has launched a formal investigation into the cause of the collision. British Transport Police confirmed 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.
The incident represents one of the more serious railway crossing accidents in recent Kent history, highlighting ongoing safety concerns at manual level crossings throughout the region. The investigation will likely examine both the crossing’s safety features and the circumstances leading to the collision.
