THE hay lorry which was in collision with a train in west Carmarthenshire last month had stopped on a level crossing in front of a lowered exit barrier, an independent investigation has found.

The 9.10am Milford Haven to Manchester Piccadilly Arriva Trains service slammed into a lorry towing two hay trailers at the Henllan Amgoed railway crossing, less than a mile west of Whitland, shortly before 10am on December 19.

It was described as "a miracle" that none of the 59 passengers on the train were seriously injured.

Trains were stopped at Carmarthen station and Arriva organised buses from Glyn's Minibuses and Taf Valley Coaches to take people onwards to Whitland.

The driver of the lorry was arrested by police after the collision. He was later released and was bailed to reappear at Haverfordwest police station on January 30.

The man, who has not yet been named, has not been charged with any offences.

A preliminary investigation by the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) of the British Transport Police has found that the lorry, which was carrying straw bales and towing a similarly loaded trailer, had stopped on the level crossing, with the crossing barrier on the exit side lowered in front of it.

The train, a two-coach diesel multiple unit, had been approaching the crossing at about 68mph, but an emergency brake application had reduced the speed to about 41 mph when the collision occurred.

The train pushed the lorry about 80 metres along the railway.

The RAIB statement added: "The investigation will identify the exact sequence of events that led to the accident.

"It will also include consideration of the layout of the level crossing, the actions of the lorry driver, the factors which caused the lorry to stop on the crossing and the crashworthiness of the Class 175 unit involved in the collision.

"The RAIB's investigation is independent of any investigation by the police or safety authority.

"The RAIB will report on its findings, including any recommendations to improve safety, at the conclusion of its investigation," the statement added.