Incredible moment train smashes into van on level crossing - but driver survives

CCTV footage has captured the jaw-dropping moment a train collided with a van at high speed after the vehicle became stuck on a railway crossing.

Video shows the Opel delivery van attempting to speed through the red lights at a guarded railway crossing in Wola Filipowska, just outside Krakow, in Poland last Friday. Despite the barriers coming down, the van unsuccessfully tries to get to the other side and the driver finds themselves trapped.

With a train fast approaching and the van stuck in the middle of the tracks, the driver reverses before trying to manoeuvre the vehicle so it is parked up on the side of the train tracks. It comes after reports of a dad's desperate phone call moments before explosion kills him and his daughters.

READ MORE: Dad’s tragic three-word post hours before plunging to his death at Oasis gig

READ MORE: Dad jailed for 50 years after boy, 7, found dead inside washing machine

But as the driver moves the van as far over to the side as possible, the train can be heard approaching with the driver sounding their horn. Seconds later the train, packed with passengers, forcefully hits the back of the van.

The vehicle is almost completely destroyed by the force of the hit, with the back of the van smashed into pieces. As the train carries on speeding through the tracks, the van is turned around the other way and is flung into a ditch.

Miraculously, the driver of the van survived the crash and walked away uninjured. Malopolska Police also confirmed that no passengers on the train were injured in the incident.

The force said in a statement: "A very dangerous incident occurred last Friday before 7am at a guarded railway crossing in Wola Filipowska (Kraków County). Despite the seemingly serious road accident, the driver of the Opel delivery van was uninjured.

"Passengers and crew on the Świnoujście-Kraków train also reported no health complaints. Investigations into the case are ongoing under the supervision of the prosecutor's office."

Malopolska Police released the disturbing footage on Wednesday in an attempt to remind road users of railway crossing safety. The police reminded drivers to stop before the crossing, look around and make sure no train is approaching. If the barriers are in the process of coming down or the lights are flashing, road users should not enter the crossing.

"Failure to follow these rules can result in a tragic accident. A train can appear at any moment—this is no place to take risks," Malopolska Police said.

The CCTV footage has gone viral on social media and has sparked a mixed response from those who have seen it. One said: "When you must choose between two bad options, choose the less bad one. Unfortunately, he chose the worst."

A second said: "This is a PERFECT example of how stupid and s***** 95% of drivers are. Stop on the tracks and risk death instead of breaking that crossing arm. You just can't make this up."

Another user wrote: "Careless or idiot driver -> panic kicks in -> they don't want to ruin their car by breaking barriers -> trying to manoeuvre out -> get hit by train anyway."