MYSTERY still surrounds how a father-of-five came to drive his car on to a railway line where it was struck by the Virgin express train at 100mph.

John Anthony Power, 54, was killed when his blue Vauxhall Vectra smashed through a fence blocking off the site of a former level crossing at Moor Lane, Copmanthorpe.

His vehicle was carried nearly a mile-and-a-half by the train, which partially derailed, and came to a halt still upright outside homes in Fairfax Croft.

The Rail Accident Investigation Bureau, British Transport Police and North Yorkshire Police are still looking into how Mr Power's vehicle came to use the deserted lane which brought him to the disused level crossing.

It is thought the crossing was boarded up in the 1970s and it now lies overgrown at the bottom of Moor Lane.

The Press revealed yesterday how delivery driver Mr Power, who worked for the Gap Group in Murton, had been diagnosed with diabetes about four years ago.

It has been suggested locally that he may have suffered a blackout or been suffering from depression before Monday's crash.

A spokeswoman for British Transport Police said the investigation team was looking at "all possibilities" but was no closer to finding out why Mr Power's vehicle ended up on the track.

She said: "We are investigating the circumstances of the collision and working with our colleagues in North Yorkshire to discover how the vehicle came to be on the line.

"But we are no further forward with that at the moment and are looking at all circumstances but have no information yet as to whether this has been a deliberate act or whether it was a tragic accident.

"However I do not have any information to suggest that Mr Power may have suffered a blackout."

North Yorkshire Police yesterday officially confirmed that Mr Power, of St George's Place, off Tadcaster Road, York, was the victim of the crash.

He leaves a widow, Hazel, five children and many friends in the Bell Farm area of York, where the couple used to live, before moving to a bungalow six months ago.

A spokesman for the force said: "The inquiry is being led by British Transport Police but we are helping with our expertise in car crashes and working together to establish what happened."

He said Mr Power's family was still struggling to come to terms with the sad loss and had asked to be left to grieve in peace.

An inquest into Mr Power's death is still to be opened and adjourned and that is expected to take place soon.

Sgt Andy Lehman, of British Transport Police, added: "Our sympathies are with the family and friends of John at this difficult time."