Rail passengers and a van driver had an amazing escape after his vehicle crashed on to the main Colchester to London line.
Police have said they do not know what would have happened if a train had been passing.
They have also praised the actions of a quick-thinking member of the public who contacted police immediately to alert them to what could have been a very serious incident.
The accident happened at 6.15am as the van was travelling along Chelmsford's Springfield Road towards the A12.
An Essex Police spokesman said the van went up a grass embankment, down the other side and was in collision with a post.
"It came to rest with its door hanging across the railway line. If a train had been passing at the time who knows what would have happened.
"The member of the public notified us very quickly," he added.
The driver, thought to be a local man in his 20s, managed to free himself despite suffering fractured ribs and a broken wrist.
The railway line is used by thousands of commuters travelling from Colchester, Braintree, Witham, Clacton and Chelmsford daily.
Published Thursday July 22, 2004
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