Road reopens after car hits rail barriers in pursuit

A car was pursued by officers as it was believed to be stolen, Sussex Police said

A road has reopened after a car crashed into a level crossing barrier during a police pursuit in East Sussex.

A blue Alfa Romeo was pursued by officers as it was believed to be stolen and on cloned plates, police said.

After crashing into the barriers at Berwick station at 11:30 BST on Thursday, police said it made off without stopping.

Station Road in Berwick was closed in both directions but has since reopened, East Sussex Highways said.

The car was later found abandoned in Paynsbridge Way, Horam, and has been recovered for forensic examination.

Police said attempts to locate the driver of the vehicle remained ongoing.

A train struck one of the two damaged barriers at Berwick station

On Thursday, Southern Railway said lines between Lewes and Eastbourne had reopened following the incident, in which a train struck one of the two damaged barriers.

Nobody on board the train was injured, Network Rail said.

East Sussex Highways previously said Station Road was likely to remain closed until 14:00 on Monday.

Natalie O’Brien and Jack Visick, the owners of nearby pub The Berwick Inn, said while they were not in the pub at the time, the incident was caught on their CCTV.

“The driver went straight through the barriers, and it looked like the police car stopped just in the nick of time as the train was coming,” Mr Visick told BBC Radio Sussex.

Sussex Police are appealing for anyone with information about the incident to come forward.

Follow BBC Sussex on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to [e-mail] or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.