A PYMOOR man crashed his car on Littleport level crossing – after a birthday binge of cocaine and alcohol. Richard Martin decided to negotiate the crossing at Padnal Bank while red lights were flashing and the half barriers were down – but his car spun o

A PYMOOR man crashed his car on Littleport level crossing - after a birthday binge of cocaine and alcohol.

Richard Martin decided to negotiate the crossing at Padnal Bank while red lights were flashing and the half barriers were down - but his car spun on the crossing and the train hit his vehicle. He had to be cut from the wreckage of his smashed car by the fire service after the 11.30pm train from King's Lynn hit his Vauxhall Corsa. Drinkers at the nearby Black Horse pub rushed to the scene and called the emergency services after hearing the impact.

The 22-year-old suffered broken ribs, and forensic tests showed he had both cocaine and a high amount of alcohol in his bloodstream. He had drunk a minimum of nine pints of lager.

Although the car was badly damaged, none of the 30 passengers on the 11.30pm train were injured, and the train driver said he was travelling at less than 60mph on the approach to Littleport Railway Station.

Appearing at Ely courthouse on Thursday, Martin admitted dangerous driving on October 17, and driving his Vauxhall Corsa without insurance. He was twice asked to answer bail at Parkside Police Station in Cambridge as British Transport Police prepared a case against him.

Prosecutor Mika Pine said: "He was unable to remember anything after leaving the pub, until he woke up in hospital the following day. In hospital, he admitted having taken cocaine."

Solicitor Catherine Bradd said Martin's birthday had been the previous day. On the day of the accident he had been to work, and then went out, drinking excessively and consuming cocaine.

"He thinks someone gave him the cocaine," she said. "His car was his pride and joy, and he was saving for insurance. He is not able to offer an explanation of how his car came to be on the level crossing. He accepts his judgement was impaired by using cocaine."

At the time, landlord of the Black Horse Pub Harild Rauch said Martin was lucky to be alive. "His guardian angels were with him that day," he told the Ely Standard.

Magistrates gave Martin an interim driving ban and sent him to Cambridge Crown Court for sentencing.

Dangerous driving carries a maximum sentence of two years' in prison

and a minimum 12-month driving disqualification.