Media centre

Friday 7 May 2010

TRIPLE TROLLEY RAIL VANDALS RISK LIVES

Region & Route:

Wales & Western: Western

| Wales & Western

Witnesses are urged to come forward after passenger journeys were disrupted and a passenger train damaged by vandals near Cheltenham Spa, last night, 6 May.

At 2200 yesterday, a train driver reported striking three shopping trolleys under the Tewksbury road bridge. One of the trolleys was wedged under the train, carrying 40 passengers, and caused damage to the engine.

The train had to be stopped so that the trolleys could be safely removed from the railway line.  As a result, the incident disrupted the late night passenger services on the line between Cardiff Central and Birmingham.

Andy Coston, area general manager, 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 extremely serious consequences. We are taking this matter very seriously and now working closely with British Transport Police to catch these criminals and prevent crimes across Britain’s rail network."

Inspector Andy Irwin-Porter, of British Transport Police, said: “I cannot emphasise strongly enough the dangers associated with this sort of criminality. The passengers and rail staff on board were placed in serious danger by the actions of those who threw the trolleys onto the line.  Fortunately on this occasion no-one was injured, but we may not be so fortunate if this happens again.

“We are urging anyone who was in or around the area to contact us on 0800 40 50 40 if they saw anything suspicious or if they have any information that may help us with our enquiries.”