An Amazon delivery driver lost his life on Sunday afternoon, July 13, 2025, when his vehicle was hit by a train at a level crossing in Teynham, Kent, England. This incident resulted in significant disruptions to rail service and prompted a comprehensive investigation involving multiple agencies.
The accident occurred around 12:45 p.m. at the crossing on Lower Road between Tonge and Teynham, as reported by the Kent Police. Emergency services, including police, ambulance, and fire rescue teams, were dispatched to the scene, but the driver was declared deceased at the site.
According to British Transport Police, officers were alerted to the railway line in Tonge following reports of a van being hit by a train. The Southeastern train involved was traveling along the route between Gillingham and Faversham.
The collision caused the van to catch fire, with social media footage showing significant black smoke rising from the scene. Video evidence also captured helicopters landing in nearby fields as emergency teams managed the situation.
Witnesses cited by the Daily Mirror described the van stopping on the track while the driver operated the manual crossing gates. A nearby worker noted that the driver had exited the vehicle to close the first gate and was returning to the van when the train hit.
This particular crossing requires users to manually open and close gates on both sides, leading to the driver stopping on the crossing. It is one of two such crossings on this stretch of road in Kent.
An Amazon spokesperson confirmed the victim was a delivery driver for the company and extended condolences to the family. Amazon expressed its intent to cooperate with police and the delivery service provider in the investigation. The driver was reportedly delivering Amazon parcels at the time of the incident.
David Davidson, chief operating officer at Southeastern Railway, confirmed that no other injuries were reported from the collision. Passengers on the affected train were transferred to another train for continued travel to Sittingbourne.
The crash led to significant disruptions in rail services across Kent, with the line between Gillingham and Faversham fully closed. Southeastern arranged for a replacement bus service to assist stranded passengers, with buses running between Gillingham and Faversham, as well as between Sheerness and Sittingbourne.
Steve White, Southeastern’s managing director, stated that the company was actively assisting the Rail Accident Investigation Branch in their efforts to ascertain the details of the incident.
The railway line between Gillingham and Faversham reopened shortly after 8:30 p.m. on Sunday. However, passengers continued to face delays and adjustments to services throughout the rest of the day.
Multiple emergency service agencies, including Kent Police, British Transport Police, South East Coast Ambulance Service, and Kent Fire and Rescue Service, responded to the scene. An air ambulance was also dispatched but was unable to save the driver.
British Transport Police have stated that the incident is not believed to be suspicious, and a file will be prepared for the coroner as part of routine procedures.
The collision occurred in the small village of Teynham, situated between Sittingbourne and Faversham in Kent. This rural area is served by Southeastern Railway, which operates most train services in and around Kent, providing connections to London.
