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Two hurt as train derailed in flood landslide near Watford Junction | Two hurt as train derailed in flood landslide near Watford Junction |
(35 minutes later) | |
Two people were hurt when a train derailed near Watford Junction after torrential rain caused a landslide at the mouth of a tunnel. | Two people were hurt when a train derailed near Watford Junction after torrential rain caused a landslide at the mouth of a tunnel. |
The 06:19 BST service from Milton Keynes to Euston left the track at about 07:00, Network Rail said. | The 06:19 BST service from Milton Keynes to Euston left the track at about 07:00, Network Rail said. |
Part of the train derailed and was clipped by another. Both trains remain in the tunnel after the fire service helped evacuate passengers. | Part of the train derailed and was clipped by another. Both trains remain in the tunnel after the fire service helped evacuate passengers. |
Two people were treated, one for a neck injury and the other for chest pain. | Two people were treated, one for a neck injury and the other for chest pain. |
A Virgin train was sent to the scene to take stranded passengers on to King's Langley, Hemel Hempstead and Milton Keynes. | A Virgin train was sent to the scene to take stranded passengers on to King's Langley, Hemel Hempstead and Milton Keynes. |
London Midland and Virgin services remain "severely disrupted" from the Midlands, the north-west and Scotland. | London Midland and Virgin services remain "severely disrupted" from the Midlands, the north-west and Scotland. |
'Landslide to blame' | 'Landslide to blame' |
The accident happened in Hunton Bridge tunnel near Watford Junction station. | The accident happened in Hunton Bridge tunnel near Watford Junction station. |
More on this as it happens | More on this as it happens |
Flash floods bring disruption to parts of England | Flash floods bring disruption to parts of England |
Live updates on flooding and storms across the country | Live updates on flooding and storms across the country |
British Transport Police were called to the scene along with the East of England Ambulance Service and Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service. | British Transport Police were called to the scene along with the East of England Ambulance Service and Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service. |
Hertfordshire Fire Service said officers who helped evacuate passengers "counted 384 people" on board the two trains. | Hertfordshire Fire Service said officers who helped evacuate passengers "counted 384 people" on board the two trains. |
However, London Midland said there was a total of about 150 people. | However, London Midland said there was a total of about 150 people. |
Passengers' stories | |
Jessica Long, a passenger on the derailed train, said: "The train hit something, it went up into the air a little bit and went off the track. You could hear it going over the gravel. | |
"When we stopped we checked everyone on the train was OK, and then the next thing we knew we got hit by another train so we were absolutely panicking. | |
"The way the train driver reacted, like, that guy deserves an absolute medal because he did so well. He came straight on the Tannoy to ask if we were all ok and tell us what was happening. | |
"Hats off to that guy, and he was injured as well." | |
Passenger Clive Todd was commuting into London from Hemel Hempstead on the same train when he heard an "'almighty noise". | |
The train "shuddered" and then came to a "quick halt" as it derailed, he said. | |
Mr Todd said he was a few carriages away from where the train came off the tracks, but he could see part of it "at a right angle". | |
The experience was "scary stuff", he said. | |
Jack Burgess was a passenger on the 06:34 London Euston to Birmingham New Street train, which clipped the derailed train. | |
He said: "Around 7am we went through the tunnel near Watford and there was a really loud scraping noise against the side of the train that got louder and louder, and then a very loud thud, which made the train bounce up and down a lot. | He said: "Around 7am we went through the tunnel near Watford and there was a really loud scraping noise against the side of the train that got louder and louder, and then a very loud thud, which made the train bounce up and down a lot. |
"The train then stopped and the driver got on the intercom, sounding very panicky. | "The train then stopped and the driver got on the intercom, sounding very panicky. |
"He kept telling everyone to stay in their seats. We were stationary for four hours or so. | "He kept telling everyone to stay in their seats. We were stationary for four hours or so. |
"I just got off a train at Milton Keynes and they're not letting me go to Birmingham." | "I just got off a train at Milton Keynes and they're not letting me go to Birmingham." |
Martin Frobisher, route managing director for Network Rail, said: "A train hit a landslip, caused by torrential rain, resulting in a small section of the train to leave the tracks a few miles north of Watford today. The train remained upright and there are no reported passenger injuries. | Martin Frobisher, route managing director for Network Rail, said: "A train hit a landslip, caused by torrential rain, resulting in a small section of the train to leave the tracks a few miles north of Watford today. The train remained upright and there are no reported passenger injuries. |
"A short time after, another train heading north gave a glancing blow with the derailed train. The train heading north did not leave the tracks." | "A short time after, another train heading north gave a glancing blow with the derailed train. The train heading north did not leave the tracks." |
Francis Thomas, from London Midland, said the accident happened on a "busy stretch" of track, and "if something goes wrong it will take a long time for services to get back to normal". | Francis Thomas, from London Midland, said the accident happened on a "busy stretch" of track, and "if something goes wrong it will take a long time for services to get back to normal". |
Network Rail said two of the lines had reopened at reduced speed through the affected area, but journeys are expected to be delayed by up to 60 minutes. | Network Rail said two of the lines had reopened at reduced speed through the affected area, but journeys are expected to be delayed by up to 60 minutes. |
Disruption is expected to continue until the end of the day, but could continue over the weekend, Mr Thomas said. | Disruption is expected to continue until the end of the day, but could continue over the weekend, Mr Thomas said. |
"The two trains are still in the tunnel and Network Rail can't assess the damage to the track until they are moved." | "The two trains are still in the tunnel and Network Rail can't assess the damage to the track until they are moved." |
He was not able to say when that might be. | He was not able to say when that might be. |
Are you near Watford Junction? Have you been affected by the crash? Let us know about your experiences. Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your stories. | Are you near Watford Junction? Have you been affected by the crash? Let us know about your experiences. Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your stories. |
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: | Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: |
·WhatsApp: +44 7525 900971 | ·WhatsApp: +44 7525 900971 |
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·Send an SMS or MMS to 61124 | ·Send an SMS or MMS to 61124 |
Or please use the form below: | Or please use the form below: |