Heavy Rain Landslide Derailed Train Crash in Watford Tunnel

Heavy Rain Landslide Derailed Train Crash in Watford Tunnel
  • London Midland train was hit by a landslide and derailed north Watford
  • It was then struck by an oncoming train during derailment in 'slow tunnel'
  • Four people - including two drivers and pregnant passenger - were injured
  • 400 passengers remain trapped on at least one of trains four hours later

At about 06:55 hrs on Friday 16 September 2016, a southbound passenger train was travelling at about 70 mph (112 km/h) on the up slow line of the West Coast Main Line, when the leading carriage was derailed by a landslip just before entering the northern portal of Watford tunnel. The train stopped in the tunnel, partly blocking the adjacent line. About two minutes later, it was struck a glancing blow by a northbound passenger train which did not derail. Two passengers suffered minor injuries. Both trains suffered significant damage, including the cab to saloon door on the derailed train becoming jammed.

Engineers out at Hunton Bridge Tunnel between Watford Junction station and Kings Langley Station.

British Transport Police were called to the scene along with the East of England Ambulance Service and Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service.

The northbound service was the 06:34 hrs service from London Euston to Birmingham and was formed by one four-coach class 350 unit. The two trains were carrying more than 150 passengers who were transferred onto another train which took them from the tunnel at about 10:40 hrs.

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.

VIDEO:
Heavy Rain Landslide Derails Train at Watford Tunnel
Torrential downpours: The landslide was caused by a night of heavy rain in the capital (Virgin Trains)
Torrential downpours: The landslide was caused by a night of heavy rain in the capital (Virgin Trains)

Shaken train passengers were trapped inside a railway tunnel for four hours after a train was derailed by a landslide during the morning rush hour.

 


 

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