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Thursday 28 May 2009

OAKHAM VANDALISM COULD HAVE DERAILED TRAIN

Region & Route:

British Transport Police (BTP) is appealing for witnesses after rail passengers were endangered and a train disabled by vandals at Pattersons occupational crossing near Oakham station, Rutland.

At 22:22 last night, Wednesday 27 May, a train driver reported striking an object at the crossing. The train is believed to have then struck a further obstruction down the line near Egleton occupational crossing, where metal drainage covers had been wedged into the track.

The 2100 hours Spalding to Nottingham service struck a metal gate on the line at Pattersons crossing and then failed after striking a further obstruction at Egleton.

‘This was a dangerous act of vandalism that could have resulted in a train being derailed,’ said Inspector Mark Clements from BTP Nottingham. ‘These vandals have put people’s lives at risk and I would appeal for anyone who knows anything about this attack to contact us.’

Mark Tarry, Area General Manager for Network Rail said: ‘This was an extremely dangerous act. The vandals responsible not only risked their own lives but also those of other people. The actions of these people could have resulted in an extremely serious accident and loss of life. We are working closely with BTP to catch these criminals and prevent crime across Britain’s rail network.’

Anyone with information is asked to contact BTP on Freefone 0800 40 50 40. Rail crime can also be reported anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.