Vandals leave park bench on train tracks in NI
Early morning commuters had a lucky escape today after a train in the North ploughed into a park bench left on the tracks by vandals.
Rail operator Translink warned that the malicious obstruction could have derailed the Belfast to Derry train and caused a number of deaths.
In the event, the driver spotted the bench early on the line about a mile outside Antrim station and his quick action helped avert a disaster.
The train was travelling at 90mph when he slammed on the emergency brakes.
Ciaran Rogan, Translink spokesman, hit out at those who left the bench on the tracks sometime late last night.
“It was a completely stupid and reckless thing to do,” he said.
“This could have had the potential to derail the train and cause serious injuries or loss of life.”
Ten passengers onboard the service were uninjured in the collision at around 7.20am.
They were taken from the train and transported by taxi to their final destination while the line was cleared.
The train was damaged, with debris jammed inside the wheels and engine, and had to be removed to engineering works for repair.
While objects have been left on railway tracks in the North before it was unusual for something the size of a park bench to be put in the way of a train.
Mr Rogan praised the quick action of the train driver.
