Children arrested over train smashes

Date published: 11 December 2007

Two children have been arrested after four trains smashed into potentially lethal obstructions - including a concrete block and a sofa - hurled on to the track.

One of the incidents happened at 11.20pm, last Tuesday, when a Manchester Victoria to Rochdale train ploughed into steel cable tied to the tracks, forcing it out of service.

Earlier the same evening, another train was forced out of service when it hit a shopping trolley. The following day a slab of concrete was thrown into the path of the 7.07pm Manchester to Rochdale train which was damaged.

Youths were then spotted hurling a sofa from a footbridge on to the tracks on Thursday evening. A train hit the obstruction at full speed.

British Transport Police rushed to the scene and arrested a 16-year-old boy and a teenage girl. The boy has been released on bail and the girl was released with no further action.

Inspector Dave Parker said: "I cannot emphasise just how dangerous throwing large items on to the track can be."

Witnesses can contact British Transport Police on freephone 0800 405040 quoting incident number 621 of December 6, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.