UK - Obstruction on line damages train

[John Ashworth]

Page last updated at 19:06 GMT, Tuesday, 10 June 2008 20:06 UK

Obstruction on line damages train

Extensive damage has been caused to a train and a railway track after rope and metal were either strung or thrown from a public footbridge in Surrey.

British Transport Police said a group of youths was thought to have caused the obstruction near Farncombe station.

Det Con Tony Bronger said the driver of the 2315 BST Waterloo to Portsmouth service said he hit something on the line just before midnight on Saturday.

"The material was dragged under the train," he said. No-one was injured.

There were about 100 passengers on board the South West Trains service at the time of the incident.

The train involved has had to be taken out of service for two weeks to undergo repairs.

Det Con Bronger said local residents had reported seeing a group of youths in the Bourne Road area at the time.

BBC