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CrossCountry passenger train hits tree in Devon | CrossCountry passenger train hits tree in Devon |
(about 3 hours later) | |
A train hit a fallen tree in Devon - brought down as the high winds swept across the south-west of England. | |
The CrossCountry service which had no passengers on board, hit the tree near Ivybridge. The driver was not injured in the incident. | |
Overnight, several homes were flooded across Devon and Cornwall and numerous roads were closed by fallen trees. | |
Power cuts affected more than 5,000 homes across the South West, including in Plymouth and Exeter. | |
Richard Gibson, from CrossCountry, said: "The train hit a tree, or part of a tree, which was across the line. | Richard Gibson, from CrossCountry, said: "The train hit a tree, or part of a tree, which was across the line. |
"The train was empty - it was going to form part of the 07:02 Paignton to Manchester service." | "The train was empty - it was going to form part of the 07:02 Paignton to Manchester service." |
Rail services were delayed between Plymouth and Exeter. | |
First Great Western said: "We are running as many services as we possibly can. As long as it is safe to do so we will run them." | First Great Western said: "We are running as many services as we possibly can. As long as it is safe to do so we will run them." |
Devon and Cornwall Police said it had received more than 200 calls related to the weather in a 24-hour period. | Devon and Cornwall Police said it had received more than 200 calls related to the weather in a 24-hour period. |
Officers said up to 85 reports of flooding had been made in Plymouth, which included roads and some properties. | Officers said up to 85 reports of flooding had been made in Plymouth, which included roads and some properties. |
'Tarmac moved' | 'Tarmac moved' |
Devon's emergency control room said numerous main roads in the county had been blocked by fallen trees and some had been damaged by flood water, making driving conditions extremely difficult. | |
A spokesman told BBC News it was "pretty inundated" while dealing with a "rapidly changing situation". | |
About 400 trees are believed to have come down around Devon as result of the weather, the control room added. | |
Acting Ch Insp Robin Hogg, of Devon and Cornwall Police, based in Truro, said: "We were fully prepared for more significant impact and more significant damage." | |
Brian Hayne, whose van was damaged when he hit a section of road damaged by flood water between Hatherleigh and Great Torrington, said: "The road has been blown by water which has seeped through and actually moved the tarmac. | |
"There's great chunks of it - about 12ft (3.7m) by 4ft (1.2m) wide - all broken up. | |
"I ran over it with my van, it blew out my tyre and the tyre came off its rim. | "I ran over it with my van, it blew out my tyre and the tyre came off its rim. |
"I'm stuck and can't go anywhere, so I'm actually standing in the middle of the road just making sure nobody else comes over and has the same sort of accident." | "I'm stuck and can't go anywhere, so I'm actually standing in the middle of the road just making sure nobody else comes over and has the same sort of accident." |
Ferry services cancelled | Ferry services cancelled |
BBC Weather presenter Emily Wood said: "The strength of the wind peaked at Berry Head in Devon at 02:00 GMT with gusts of 66mph (106km/h) reported. | |
"Okehampton in Devon recorded 32.2mm of rain overnight. | "Okehampton in Devon recorded 32.2mm of rain overnight. |
"The strongest winds have started to ease, although some gusts of 30 to 40mph (48 to 64km/h) are possible later with some heavy showers." | "The strongest winds have started to ease, although some gusts of 30 to 40mph (48 to 64km/h) are possible later with some heavy showers." |
The Environment Agency has issued flood alerts across the South West. | |
Brittany Ferries cancelled services between Plymouth and Roscoff and services on the Scillonian ferry, which operates between Penzance and the Isles of Scilly, were also called off. | |
The Tamar Bridge, which connects Devon and Cornwall, was closed overnight but later reopened. | |
The Falmouth Water Taxi service was cancelled until at least Tuesday, managers said. | The Falmouth Water Taxi service was cancelled until at least Tuesday, managers said. |