The vehicle was stationary on the Church Road level crossing in Swainsthorpe when the incident happened, the spokesman added.

Emergency services said the One Railways train pushed the car about a quarter of a mile down the track.

The driver, who has not been identified, was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident.

"I thought the train was going to roll over... that was horrendous" - Keith Waller, eyewitness

Eyewitness Keith Waller, who lives near the level crossing, said: "I heard this bang and when I looked over I saw a big ball of fire coming off the train.

"The train looked as though it was rocking. I then ran back in doors and dialled 999.

"When I ran back to the level crossing, police were there. I wanted to go back to the train.

"I thought the train was going to roll over... that was horrendous."

Emergency services attended the scene after a phone call from a member of the public.

'Train fire'

A fire service spokesman said: "The train hit the car and came to a halt 200 metres down the track.

"When the crew arrived the front of the train was on fire and the crew extinguished the fire."

There were 12 passengers on the train and Calvin Scott, from East Anglian Ambulance Service, said seven of them were treated at the scene.

There were no high speed trains on the Norwich to London mainline at the weekend because of engineering work.

An investigation into the incident on Sunday afternoon is due to be carried out.