A MAN was killed today in a high-speed train accident at a level crossing on a busy Glasgow commuter route.

The horrific accident happened in the early hours of the morning and brought train services in parts of Ayrshire to a standstill.

Commuters faced serious travel disruption today as replacement bus services were hurriedly put on between Kilwinning and Ayr.

A police probe is under way following the accident which happened at around 12.45am close to the entrance of the Western Gailes Golf Club in Gailes Road on the outskirts of Irvine.

Police said a 37-year-old Network Rail employee was killed when a southbound train collided with a white Ford van.

It is thought the man drove the vehicle onto the track but then got out of the van as an an empty commuter train heading towards Ayr was approaching the crossing.

Emergency services were called to the scene shortly before 1am but ambulance crews were unable to save the van driver at the scene.

A second ambulance crew walked half a mile along the track to reach the train driver and conductors.

Although they were uninjured they were severely shaken and were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.

Today a fleet of police vehicles and an incident unit were on scene as investigations got under way.

A British Transport Police spokesman said: "Our investigations are at an early stage but it appears a man drove his vehicle onto a level crossing."

It is believed the Glasgow to Ayr line will be affected for most of the day with thousands of rail passengers facing disruption.

Commuters travelling to Glasgow were taken by bus from Ayr to Kilwinning to continue their journey by train.

Some services from Ayr to Kilmarnock were also affected and passengers were being warned the changes could be in place until around lunchtime.

A spokesman for First ScotRail said: "A couple of trains had been cancelled altogether due to problems trying to get the trains out of Ayr.

"Replacement buses are being laid on between Kilwinning and Ayr as we will not be able to run a full service until police investigations are complete."

A police spokesman added: "Rail services between Ayr and Kilwinning have been cancelled until further notice."