‘Stop taking risks on the railway' is the message from Northern after three of its trains were damaged by bricks thrown from bridges.
During the past two weeks, three Northern trains were damaged by bricks thrown from bridges. The incidents happened as the trains passed under bridges, a brick smashing the windscreen of two and the headlights of the other.
Two of the incidents happened at Leyland on Saturday 9 and 16 October, whilst on Tuesday 19 October, British Transport Police (BTP) were called to St. Helens Junction station following reports of a brick being thrown at a train.
Officers attended, but they found no one at the scene. However, commuters complained that the incident caused a number of delays to Northern's services, with one person stating their train was delayed half an hour and another said that two of their trains had been delayed and cancelled.
BTP are investigating the incidents, and Northern is appealing for further information. Northern is also offering a £500 reward to anyone who provides information that leads to a conviction.
Chris Jackson, Regional Director at Northern, said: “It's hard to believe that anyone would put the safety of others at risk by such reckless behaviour.
“The consequences of a brick hitting a fast-moving train are potentially devastating. It's only through good fortune that no-one was seriously hurt.”
Mr Jackson added: “Officers are investigating, and I am appealing to anyone with information about either incident to come forward. Someone will know who did this and we need to find them before they do something similar which may have far worse consequences.”
Anyone with information can contact BTP by texting 61016 or by calling 0800 40 50 40. Alternatively, people can call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
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I bet it was mindless kids. Whoever has done that should pay for what they have done. Or even to be sent to prison for causing manslaughter or intent to injury or kill a train driver.
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