A train ploughed into a van and horsebox which had been left on an unmanned level crossing, a court heard.

The impact ripped the horsebox from the vehicle and shunted it more than 100 metres along the track.

Train driver John Cooper told how he sounded his horn and slammed on his emergency brakes when he saw the obstruction across the line in front of him.

He said he was unable to avoid the 10.22 service from Hastings to Eastbourne colliding with the trailer.

Alex Chalk, prosecuting, said: "Fortunately, no horse was in the horsebox, which was a blessing, and nobody was killed or injured."

George Ripley, 46, of Pelham Close, Westham, near Pevensey, denies charges of obstructing the track and endangering the safety of rail passengers at the Winkney Farm crossing on October 6, 2003.

Hove Crown Court heard yesterday the crossing gates are kept locked and can only be used by keyholders.

Signs inform users to contact the signal box at Hampden Park, Eastbourne, using trackside phones before vehicles or animals cross.

Mr Chalk said Ripley told police he was taking his grandson to feed horses in a field when the crash happened.

Mr Chalk said: "He said he opened the gate and tried the phone but could not get a dialling tone. He knew the horses needed feeding and looked for a train before starting to cross.

"He said that the next thing he knew there was a train bearing down on him and he tried to accelerate out of the way."

Mr Cooper, a South Central train driver for two years, said the train was travelling at about 40mph at the time of impact.

He said: "The horsebox was completely over my two rails and the van over the first rail of the other track.

"It was stationary and the drivers door was open. The driver's seat was empty and I saw someone standing in front of the van. I realised there was going to be an impact and released the dead man's handle applying the emergency brakes.

"The person in front of the van ran back and I think he got back into it as the train hit the horsebox.

"About five feet from impact I took cover through the cab doorway and turned my head away."

Cross-examined by Julian Dale, defending, Mr Cooper admitted that he had 12 points on his train drivers' licence for not stopping at a station and for opening the doors on the wrong side after arriving at another station.

Mr Cooper said: "There are drivers with 48 points on their licences but it is not a disciplinary matter."

Stephen Wilson, a train driver travelling as a passenger on the service, said he helped to comfort passengers in the first carriage.

He said: "I calmed the three elderly people in the carriage with me and made sure they were OK before I went to check the driver."

The trial continues.