A woman has died and an eight-year-old girl is fighting for her life after a train hit a car at a level crossing today.The fatal incident happened at Station Road, in Hoghton, southeast of Preston, Lancashire, at around 8.50am. The woman was pronounced dead at the scene, while the girl was taken to Alder Hey Children's Hospital with life-threatening injuries.She remains there in a critical condition. They were the only two people travelling in the car when it was struck by the 7.51 Northern service from Colne to Preston. The car is believed to have been hit and travelled at least 100 yards down the track, according to onlookers at the scene. No passengers on the train were injured.British Transport Police Superintendent Jamie McGowan said: 'Today’s events are truly devastating, and our thoughts are firmly with the family of the woman who sadly lost her life and the young girl in hospital with serious injuries. Members of their family are being supported by specially trained officers.'Detectives remain at the scene working closely with the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) and enquiries are ongoing to establish exactly what led to the collision.'I would urge anyone who witnessed the incident and has not yet spoken to police to contact us by texting 61016, quoting reference 152 of 25 June.'One person is dead and a child is fighting for their life after a train hit a car at a level crossing at Station Road, in Hoghton, southeast of Preston Police and ambulance crews at the level crossing today responding to the fatal incident Fire and ambulance crews attended along with officers from British Transport Police and South Ribble PoliceMotorists have been told to avoid the area, and train services are currently not running between Preston and Blackburn. Fire and ambulance crews attended along with officers from British Transport Police and South Ribble Police.Michael Cryer, 64, was driving past at 9am and saw the huge emergency response. He has lived in the quiet village for over 30 years and said that the barriers at the crossing don't cover the whole road, so it is possible to get onto the track easily.He said: 'When the barrier comes down, it only covers your side of the road, so you could drive around it and get onto the track or zig-zag through.'Obviously, that isn't recommended.'A British Transport Police spokesperson said: 'We are currently on scene at a level crossing in Hoghton, Lancashire, following reports that a train had struck a car.'Paramedics and the fire service are also in attendance. Two people were in the car and sadly one was pronounced dead the scene, the other is being taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries.'There have been no other injuries reported from passengers on the train at this time.'Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) inspectors have been sent to the scene to gather evidence as part of a preliminary examination.A spokesperson for the RAIB said 'a decision on whether or not an investigation will be launched will be taken in the coming days'. A North West Ambulance Service spokesperson said: 'We responded to an incident in the Hoghton area of Lancashire after reports of a collision between a train and a car at 8.50am today.'Several clinical teams attended the scene, including our hazardous area response team and two air ambulances.'Sadly, a child has sustained life threatening injuries and has been taken to Alder Hey Children's Hospital for further treatment.'No passengers travelling on the train required treatment from ambulance crews.'A South Ribble Police spokesperson confirmed officers are assisting at the scene and have advised motorists to avoid the area. An investigation is underway to establish the circumstances surrounding the collisionAn investigation is underway to establish the circumstances surrounding the collision.Northern managing director Tricia Williams said: 'Our thoughts are with the person who sadly died and the other passenger in the car who has been taken to hospital. 'There have been no other injuries reported from passengers or staff who were on the train. 'We are now working to support the emergency services, Network Rail and the Rail Accident Investigation Branch and will co-operate fully with the investigation into what happened.' Any witnesses are asked to text 61016 quoting reference 152 of 25 June.