Statement regarding incident on the West Coast main line near Watford.: Partial-derailment at Watford tunnel - Virgin resuce train in distance-2

Friday 16 Sep 2016

Statement regarding incident on the West Coast main line near Watford.

Region & Route:
National
| North West & Central

The latest statement below regarding the incident on the railway near Watford.

Martin Frobisher, route managing director for Network Rail, said: “At around 7am on Friday (16 September) a train hit a landslip, caused by torrential rain, a few miles north of Watford resulting in a small section of the train to leave the tracks. A second train then glanced the derailed train as it travelled in the opposite direction. Both trains remained upright and there were no reported passenger injuries.

"Passengers have been safely removed from both trains and two of the four lines through the area are open. We are now working to remove both trains from the tunnel and will then carry out safety checks and repairs to the landslip and infrastructure. We hope to have normal service through the area in time for the Monday morning peak.

“Passengers are advised to check www.nationalrail.co.uk before they travel for the latest information.”

Contact information

Passengers / community members
Network Rail national helpline
03457 11 41 41

Latest travel advice
Please visit National Rail Enquiries

Journalists
Network Rail press office - North West & Central Region
07740 782954
NWCmediarelations@networkrail.co.uk

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