A driver had a lucky escape after crashing into a level crossing barrier near Wallingford, narrowly missing a special train carrying youngsters to see Santa.

As reported in the late edition of yesterday's Oxford Mail, the driver tried to get his Vauxhall Omega across the Wallingford to Cholsey preservation railway line on Sunday (December 19) in front of the approaching Santa Special, despite flashing lights warning that a train was approaching.

The train, the 11.40am from Cholsey station to Wallingford, was carrying scores of children on a day out to see Father Christmas when the accident happened at 12.05pm. The barriers dropped on the car but the steam train, which was only travelling at 15mph, managed to stop before hitting the vehicle.

Rescuers from the train, including Santa, lifted the barriers off the car.

Wallingford stationmaster Denis Strange, who called police and Network Rail after the incident, said: "We were lucky no-one was hurt. The car was damaged but there were no injuries."

Jo Clyde, the chairman of the Cholsey & Wallingford Railway Association, said: "The barriers are owned by Oxfordshire County Council, which will have to sort out the repair bill with the driver. There was absolutely nothing wrong with the barrier or the lights -- they worked perfectly.

"The driver did something extremely foolish which could have caused a serious accident.

"We were allowed to carry on with our scheduled Santa Specials, although they ran a little later than planned."

Police spokesman Vicky Evans, a spokesman for Thames Valley Police, said: "We have spoken to the driver, and there are no plans to bring any charges against him."