A FREIGHT train was derailed after a car crashed onto the tracks near Ipswich.

A FREIGHT train was partially derailed after a car crashed onto the tracks near Ipswich.

All trains travelling between Ipswich and Felixstowe were cancelled after the accident.

The car is thought to have hit a kerb at the junction of Lindbergh and Cobham Roads before plunging into undergrowth and crashing through a fence.

It is believed that the car then hit the moving train, causing it to derail. But when officers arrived at the scene, the driver had gone.

Police have since confirmed that an arrest has been made following the crash.

An East of England Ambulance Service spokeswoman said paramedics were called to the scene to treat a passenger in the car, who declined hospital treatment.

The spokeswoman added that the driver was believed to have sustained a leg injury in the crash but was no longer at the scene when they arrived.

The train left the tracks near Derby Road station, causing disruption to all National Express East Anglia services on the line.

No one on the train was hurt in the incident and spokesman for National Express confirmed trains had been temporarily suspended, saying passengers could catch replacement buses until full service resumes.

British Transport Police and Suffolk police have launched an investigation. The scene was cordoned off.

A Suffolk police spokeswoman said: “At 12.28pm today, Suffolk police were called to Cobham Road, Ipswich to reports that a green Vauxhall Vectra had gone through a fence, onto the railway line and collided with a passing freight train.

“The driver of the car was seen to walk away from the scene.

“The passing freight train then partially derailed on the approach to the Derby Road, Ipswich train station but all the wagons remained upright.

“No-one was injured during the incident.

“Roads on the approach to the scene are currently closed while an investigation is conducted.

“A 36-year-old Ipswich male was located a short distance away in Queensway, Ipswich and at 1.25pm he was arrested on suspicion of theft of vehicle, driving whilst unfit through drink or drugs and leaving the scene of a road traffic collision.

“He is currently at Ipswich Police Station awaiting questioning.

“Police are keen to hear from anyone who may have seen the green Vauxhall Vectra prior to the incident.”

Mary Salter, who lives in Lindbergh Road, said: “I heard this great big bang and I did hear a train going by. That must have when they collided.”

Anyone with information about the incident should call PC Paul Fletcher at the police HQ Roads Policing Unit on 01473 613500 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.