An off-duty Thames Valley policeman was queuing at the Ufton Nervet level crossing at 6.15pm, when a Mazda 323 pulled onto the track, where the driver stopped. In the darkness and drizzle, the officer ran to the car, but the driver did not respond, so the officer ran to an emergency phone to get a message to the driver of the Paddington to Plymouth Express train.

The train smashed into the car at 100mph, and both the car and train driver, along with six other people, including an eight year-old girl, were killed. Police are investigating whether the driver intended suicide.

More than 100 survivors were taken at first to the Spring Inn on the A4, and Comfort Inn at Padworth, before around 60 were taken to Royal Berkshire Hospital. Last night, the seventh victim died of injuries, and another 13 are still recovering. Of the dead, their identities have yet to be confirmed.

Around 100 police officers have been involved with the crash – more than 1500 worried callers have phoned the enquiry line – and cranes have been brought in to clear the track. However, both the line and the A4 remain closed on Monday morning, as investigations continue.

A train is running from Bedwyn to Newbury, where rail-users can get a coach to Didcot, to get them to Reading. Road users are being diverted through Bradfield to the A340, with westbound traffic using the A340 going through Bradfield and Woolhampton to join the A4 at Thatcham. Lorries are being told to use the M4.

The Health and Safety Executive is examining whether there are any faults with the train and level crossing, and is expected to produce an interim report before the end of the week.