A bungling driver tried to drive over a level crossing and was hit by an oncoming train.

The motorist approached the barriers while the red lights were flashing in Uttaradit, northern Thailand, on Wednesday (June 26) evening.

But instead of waiting - like one other motorcycle rider was doing - the male driver tried to take his pick-up truck across the tracks.

He failed to notice a locomotive cargo train to his right which came hurtling towards the crossing and clipped the front of his vehicle.

Miraculously, the driver and the passenger emerged virtually unscathed - albeit within a hair’s breadth of his life as he would have been crushed had he arrived a second earlier.

Paramedics took the shaken driver and passenger to the hospital to be treated for minor injuries and shock. The will also need to pay for his own repair bill for the pick-up truck.

Government officials warned other road users to be cautious and always check the warning lights and sounds when they approach level crossings.

The Uttaradit Municipality Disaster Prevention and Mitigation department said in a statement: ‘’Be careful when driving on the road, especially at the railway crossings. Observe all of the warnings well.

‘’Follow the rules and your property and your life will not be in danger. Two people were taken to hospital after the incident at the crossing in front of the temple.’’

A bungling driver tried to drive over a level crossing and was hit by an oncoming train.

The motorist approached the barriers while the red lights were flashing in Uttaradit, northern Thailand, on Wednesday (26/02) evening.

But instead of waiting - like one other motorcycle rider was doing - the male driver tried to take his pick-up truck across the tracks.

He failed to notice a locomotive cargo train to his right which came hurtling towards the crossing and clipped the front of his vehicle.

Miraculously, the driver and the passenger emerged virtually unscathed - albeit within a hair’s breadth of his life as he would have been crushed had he arrived a second earlier.

Paramedics took the shaken driver and passenger to hospital to be treated for minor injuries and shock. The will also need to pay for his own repair bill for the pick-up truck.

Government officials warned other road users to be cautious and always check the warning lights and sounds when they approach level crossings.

The Uttaradit Municipality Disaster Prevention and Mitigation department said in a statement: ‘’Be careful when driving on the road, especially at the railway crossings. Observe all of the warnings well.

‘’Follow the rules and your property and your life will not be in danger. Two people were taken to hospital after the incident at the crossing in front of the temple.’’