A motorist tried to reverse moments before he was crushed to death by a train in a horror smash at a level crossing, an inquest heard.

Derek Boulter, 69, was killed instantly when a Portsmouth-to-Barnham train slammed into his car at a crossing by Fishbourne station, near Chichester.

The 30 passengers on board the four-car train were thrown from their seats as the front carriage rode over the car, pushing it up the line and crushing it beyond recognition.

The crash, on January 31 this year, threw the county's train network into chaos.

A jury at Chichester Magistrates' Court yesterday heard onlookers describe how Mr Boulter's Subaru crashed through the single barrier crossing and stopped in the middle of the level crossing.

Seconds later, they saw the 13.25 Portsmouth train hit the vehicle.

Michael Holmes, who was standing on Fishbourne station platform at the time, said: "The car smashed through the level crossing barrier and came to a sudden halt. I was absolutely shocked.

"The man was sitting in the car gripping the steering wheel and I saw him push away part of the barrier from the car bonnet.

"The train crashed into it and there were sparks and flames."

Train driver Stephen Sylvester braked immediately he saw the car.

He recalled seeing Mr Boulter, from Chidham, near Chichester, sitting with his head in his hands before impact.

In a statement from Mr Sylvester, read out at the inquest, he said: "I saw the vehicle disappear under the train and shoot out on the left hand side in pieces."

An investigation revealed there were no mechanical problems with either Mr Boulter's car, the train or the level crossing.

PC Colin O'Neill said tests on Mr Boulter's car revealed he had been trying to reverse at the time of impact.

The inquest was told Mr Boulter was a diabetic who had suffered from heart problems but these were unlikely to have affected the crash.

A post-mortem revealed he died from multiple injuries.

The jury unanimously returned a verdict of accidental death.