A YOUNGSTER injured when a car crashed onto a railway line is still fighting for his life.

The 11-year-old boy, who has not been named by police, was a passenger in a Range Rover that careered off the A69 near Haltwhistle, Northumberland, and ended up on the Newcastle to Carlisle line.

It was then struck a glancing blow by a passing freight train.

The youngster was airlifted by helicopter to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle with serious injuries and is still said to be in a critical condition.

The accident happened at about 4.25pm on Wednesday as snowfall caused travel chaos throughout the region.

The vehicle, which had been heading west, was being driven by the boy’s mother and his older brother.

They escaped serious injury and no-one was hurt on the train.

Police investigating the incident are looking at the possibility of a hit-and-run collision with another vehicle before the Range Rover ended up on the track. C

hief Inspector Peter Reeve said: "Enquiries into the collision are ongoing and we are keen to speak to anyone who saw the incident.

“We are not ruling out any lines of enquiry as to the cause of the crash at this stage - including the weather, ice on the roads or other road users.”

Chief Insp Reeve added: “We really need to hear from anyone who was on the A69 in the area around the time of the crash as they could have information that could really help us with the investigation."

British Transport Police said the freight train remained upright and on the track following the collision.

The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) has been informed of the crash.

The A69 was closed for several hours on Wednesday between the B6318 at Greenhead and the B6321 at Haltwhistle following the collision and remained closed for much of today, Thursday December 6.

Network Rail closed the line between Carlisle and the MetroCentre in Gateshead for a time while the vehicle was recovered.

Witnesses and anyone with information about the incident should call Northumbria Police on 101, extension 69191.