Lincolnshire rail death pair 'did not act on horn'
An elderly couple who died after being hit by a freight train in Lincolnshire failed to move after the driver sounded his horn, an inquest is told.
Peter Smith, 80, and his wife Betty, 79, died when they were struck at a level crossing in Cherry Willingham.
Emergency services were called to the village, following the collision on 9 July.
An inquest into the couple's death was opened and adjourned at Lincoln Cathedral Centre.
A statement read out at the hearing confirmed that Mr and Mrs Smith left their home in Fiskerton Road, Cherry Willingham, near Lincoln, at 11:30 BST and walked to the Green Lane crossing.
They remained stood on the tracks despite the train driver sounding his horn and applying the emergency brake, the hearing heard.
The inquest was adjourned while further investigations take place.
Following the tragedy, a statement from the couple's family said: "We are deeply saddened by our loss and we would now like to ask for privacy while we come to terms with what has happened."
British Transport Police is continuing to investigate the deaths. The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) has also been informed.