2 killed as car hit by train in southwestern Japan

Two people were killed after their minivehicle was hit by an oncoming express train at a crossing in Kurume, Fukuoka Prefecture in southwestern Japan early Thursday, local press reported. The train operator, Kyushu Railway Co., was quoted as saying it believes the vehicle smashed through the boom barrier at the crossing before it was hit by the train bound for Kumamoto sometime before 1 a.m.local time. The four-car express dragged the car for about 200 meters but the train driver and passengers were unhurt. Police identified the victims through belongings left in the wrecked vehicle as a 62-year-old man who lived in the city and his 60-year-old wife.