DART passengers escape injury after partial derailment
Some 33 passengers aboard a DART commuter train escaped without injury last night after part of the train derailed in Co Wicklow.
A four-carriage train from Greystones to Connolly hit rocks between Bray and Greystones, close to a tunnel about a mile from Bray station.
Irish Rail says the line is closed as a result this morning.
Dublin Bus will accept rail tickets for travel to and from Greystones, while bus transfers will be arranged for Intercity and commuter services that use the line.
"The rail line between Bray and Greystones is closed, and will remain so for services this morning," an Irish Rail statement said.
"This follows the 23.10 Greystones to Connolly DART service last night hitting boulders on the Bray side of Tunnel No 1 (approx 1 mile from Bray Station).
"Two bogies (sets of wheels) on the four-carriage train have come off the track as a result.
"Thankfully, there were no injuries on board amongst the 33 customers and driver."
Irish Rail spokesman Barry Kenny said an investigation into what happened is underway.
"The train remained upright," Mr Kenny said.
"With 33 people on board - thankfully, nobody was injured - we had to arrange for them to be transferred from the train.
"We are very grateful that there was no injuries resulting from this incident (and) we will be reviewing it, obviously."
Mr Kenny said there were two potential causes for the incident - either vandalism or rockfall.
"We will be surveying the area to establish (the cause this morning," he said.
"We have alerted the Rail Accident Investigation Unit of the Department of Transport and will also be undertaking our own investigation as well."
