FIFTY-eight in-lamb ewes were killed after straying on to a railway line and being struck by a train.

Horrified witnesses described the aftermath as resembling a "battle site".

The track at Droitwich, was closed for more than 13 hours on Monday, after the empty passenger train killed 53 of the sheep instantly.

The accident happened at 2.30am and a further five were later destroyed by a vet.

The animals, owned by farmer John Newell, escaped onto the line through a public footpath gate which had been left open.

Mr Newell, of Fox Walks Farm, Grafton Lane, Bromsgrove, urged countryside walkers to close gates.

"It looked like a battle site," he said.

"Unborn lambs were ripped from ewes' stomachs, animals were cut in two and innards were strewn across the ground.

"If people don't want to see such scenes when walking through the countryside they should remember to close gates."

A total of 203 sheep escaped on to the line from a field at Rashwood Farm, off Worcester Road, Rashwood, near Droitwich.

Railtrack workers cleared the site and buried the mutilated carcasses alongside the track.

Mr Newell, aged 52, who was insured, must now rebuild the flock at a cost of £3,500.

"The remaining ewes are very stressed. I hope they don't miscarry," he added.

Nicholas Townsend, who runs Rashwood Farm said the accident was caused by lack of attention.

"My family has owned this farm for more than 50 years and I can't remember an accident of this scale," he said.