A HIGH-SPEED train with 400 passengers onboard has ploughed into a fruit lorry after the bungling driver got stuck on a level crossing.
Shocking footage shows the lorry going across the tracks before bizarrely reversing when a car approaches – as seconds later a train smashes into it.
Thousands of fresh juicy pears can be seen flying out of the lorry with debris strewn across the tracks.
Five people inside the 10-wheeler were left injured, cops confirmed.
The crash took place in the village of Meteren in central Netherlands at around 11.10am on October 30.
CCTV footage shows the white and black lorry carrying pears approaching the level crossing like normal.
read more in train horrors
No train is in sight with the tracks fully up when the lorry passes through.
Over 80 per cent of the huge motor is safely across when a car on the opposite side approaches.
The lorry driver believes they have enough time to reverse back across the tracks to the other side.
But during his attempt to hastily make it back to safety the alarms start blaring as the crossings come down on both sides.
At this point, the front third of the lorry is still trapped between the two crossings and firmly stuck on the live railway lines.
In a panic, the driver tries to reverse forwards – putting themselves in even more danger as now half of the truck is on the lines.
Cars gather on the opposing side as the train comes hurtling into shot.
The lorry tries to manoeuvre itself around the barriers – even breaking two of them in the process.
Then the train flies past and collides at full speed with the lorry.
The back is ripped open as pears go soaring in the air.
A horrified train driver has no choice but to continue on as they pass through debris from the lorry and decimated bunches of fruit.
One local who heard the smash as it happened said: “There was terrible material damage and a lot of pressure on the driver involved, but I’m glad only minor injuries are reported.”
“It all went pear shaped so quickly,” another joked.
The government transport agency ProRail released the footage to teach drivers in a similar situation should try and do.
ProRail advised motorists to smash through the barriers if they are ever stuck as their lives are always more important than any equipment.
A spokesperson said: “The footage shows how quickly things can go wrong at a railway crossing and is shocking to watch.
“Better to damage a barrier than to put a life in danger.
“If you’re stuck between the barriers: Keep going.”
The damage done to the track in this instance was also pretty extensive, the spokesperson added.
“A kilometre of track needs to be replaced, and repairs will continue well into the weekend,” they said.
The train itself was also left smashed up.
All 400 passengers on the train at the time were evacuated from the damaged locomotive and taken to Den Bosch station.
ProRail are continuing to investigate the cause of the accident.
