A baby was hit by flying glass after a brick was thrown at a train approaching Hull Paragon station on Monday, 20th June.
15-week-old Esme Emmerson had been on a day out in Beverley with her father and mother, Jason and Kristina. They were travelling home on the 15:00 Northern service from Bridlington to Hull when the incident happened close to Snuff Mill Lane in Hull at 15:45.
As the location is close to Hull Paragon station, the train continued safely into the station where the incident was reported and the train involved was taken out of service for repair.
Northern and British Transport Police have now issued an appeal for information. Anyone with information can contact British Transport Police by texting 61016 or by calling 0800 40 50 40. Alternatively, people can call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
Tony Baxter, regional director for Northern, said: “This was a totally reckless act by mindless individuals who gave no thought for other people's safety.
“The consequences of a brick hitting a fast-moving train are potentially devastating and we can only give thanks that Esme wasn't more seriously injured.
“Someone must know who threw that brick and I urge anyone with information about the events that led to Esme being hurt to contact British Transport Police.”
Jason Emmerson and Kristina Vojsovicova, Esme's father and mother said: “It all happened so quickly. We were almost arriving into Hull when the brick hit the window and the smashed glass fell into Esme's pram. We were in shock. I'm just so grateful that Esme wasn't seriously hurt. I want whoever did this to know the impact of their actions. They need to hand themselves into the police.
“It's a reminder to all parents to make sure to keep your kids safe as anything can happen while travelling with people doing this crazy stuff. That brick could have hit Esme or one of us – but thank god our baby is safe.”
Chief Inspector Graham Bridges said: “This was a very serious incident that could have had devastating consequences. Passengers, including a tiny baby, could have been seriously injured by the actions of whoever threw this object.
“Throwing bricks and stones at trains is an incredibly dangerous and reckless thing to do. We are working hard to identify those responsible.”
27/6 22 First thoughts are MrBaxter’s comments are mild – surely it’s criminal activity to throw missiles at anything including Public Service vehicles.
Totally disgusting. Why would some individual do that. Or was it thrown by silly kids not knowing the consequence. I hope that the police are on to them or whoever did it. I do feel sorry for the parents and of course the baby. Such a shame on how society can be so disrespectful.
Glass should have been, at least, toughened and laminated safety glass. Pure incompetence and negligence on behalf of the train manufacturer. Also the train operator, as safety anti shatter glass film could have been applied to the glass to prevent this from happening. Monolithic annealed or toughened glass only is not recommended or suitable, as sadly this incident is demonstrating. Urgent action is needed to address this issue and prevent this from happening again. Feel so sorry for this Baby and Family, totally avoidable if the right glass was in place there.
It would appear as there is an Emergency Hammer visible in the image the glass contained within doors are specified to shatter to facilitate a means of entry/egress in an emergency?