Three women and a child have been killed after their car was hit by a high-speed train on a level crossing in Spain.
Local reports said the four victims could be members of the same family.
The crash occurred around 5.15pm this afternoon by a railway station in Novelda near Alicante on the Costa Blanca.
The Intercity train that hit the vehicle was travelling from Barcelona to Lorca near Murcia in south-east Spain.
None of the passengers on the train were hurt in the smash, although one woman on board was treated for a panic attack.
Novelda mayor Fran Martinez went to the scene of the tragedy as soon as he was told the victims could be from Petrer, a ten-minute drive away.
The four people are thought to have been killed died instantly and pictures showed their heavily mangled car.
Four coaches have been mobilised to take the train passengers to their final destinations as investigations on the site continue.
Initial reports said the victims may have driven through a closed barrier on the level crossing before being hit.
metro
