Family of level crossing crash girl Emma Lifsey 'utterly distraught' after four-year-old dies

The family of the four-year-old girl who was hit by a train on a level crossing have been left 'utterly distraught' after she died in hospital.

Emma Lifsey suffered serious injuries when the car she was in went over a crossing in Misson Springs, Nottinghamshire and was struck by a train on Tuesday afternoon.

The youngster was airlifted to Sheffield Children's Hospital but died in the early hours of Wednesday morning. The 67-year-old female driver was taken to Doncaster Royal Infirmary with neck injuries.

After Emma passed away this morning, her parents issued a statement describing their heartbreak at losing their 'much-loved daughter' who 'meant the world to us'.

In a tribute released through British Transport Police, Mark and Zoe Lifsey, aged 40 and 38 and from Haxey, Lincs, said: "We are still trying to come to terms with the terrible incident on Tuesday afternoon and there are no words that can properly express how utterly distraught we are.

"Emma meant the world to us. She was our much-loved daughter and a baby sister to her 11-year-old brother Jack.

"We would like to thank everyone for the many messages of sympathy and support we have received.

"As you can appreciate, this tragic incident has left us shocked and devastated and we would ask that we can be left to grieve in private at this acutely difficult and sad time for us."

The 67-year-old woman who suffered neck injuries remains in a stable condition in hospital.

A British Transport Police (BTP) spokesman said: "The police investigation into the incident is ongoing and remains very much in the early stages.

"Officers are working hard to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident, including how the vehicle came to be on the tracks at the time.

"This will include speaking to any witnesses to the incident, while specialist officers will also look at evidence from the scene and the car in question, a black Volvo which has now been recovered.

"The train, a Lincoln to Doncaster service, was damaged but remained upright and on the tracks. There have been no reports of injuries to passengers or staff on board."

The spokesman said the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) and Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) have been notified.

The ORR confirmed it has begun working with police to investigate the crash.

The scene of the collision is a crossing about two miles east of the nearest village of Blaxton, on a small country lane which connects the B1396 to the village of Misson.

Speaking at the scene yesterday, Inspector Andy Selby, from BTP, said he could not comment on whether the barriers and lights were working correctly.