A mother-of-two died when a train hit her as she was being dragged across a track by her boyfriend, it was alleged in court today.

Darren Palmer, 39, dragged 29-year-old Kelly Mack across the line against her will with "complete disregard of the obvious danger", a prosecutor told Chelmsford Crown Court.

Palmer, the father of Miss Mack's children, "snatched" her at Hythe rail station in Colchester, Essex, in March 2008, said David Etherington QC.

Jurors were told the couple lived in Clacton, Essex, and had been together for "some years".

Mr Etherington said Palmer wanted Miss Mack to join him on the Clacton-bound side of the line and pulled her across when level crossing barriers were down and a train was due to come through.

Palmer denies manslaughter.