Fence Smashes Through Train Window

[locojoe]

13/11/2007 11:25
FENCE SMASHES THROUGH TRAIN WINDOW IN URMSTON, MANCHESTER

Officers from British Transport Police are appealing for witnesses after a large fencing panel was dropped on to a moving train from a footbridge between Urmston and Chassen Road stations yesterday evening, Monday 12 November, 2007.

The incident occurred at approximately 18.00hrs as the 17.43 Northern Rail, Oxford Road to Liverpool service travelled beneath a footbridge off Sunningdale Road, in Urmston.

The fencing panel, which measures approximately 6ft by 3ft, was dropped from the footbridge smashing the driver’s window.

The driver of the train was left extremely shocked and shaken and was fortunate not to suffer any physical injuries as he was struck by the glass. There were also a number of passengers on board the train at the time of the incident.

The offenders are described only as three youths wearing hooded tops.

Officers from BTP have conducted house to house enquiries in the local area and will view local CCTV in a bid to identify the offenders. Forensic tests are also being carried out on the fencing panel.

The train continued to Warrington where it was taken out of service for repairs.

Inspector Tony Fitzpatrick of British Transport Police said. “To throw something of this size at a moving train is not only stupid but extremely dangerous. An object of this size could have seriously injured or even killed the driver as it smashed through the window. The youths responsible need to realise that this sort of behaviour is completely unacceptable and wont be tolerated on the railways.

“This is a well-used footbridge in the Sunningdale Road area so there is a good chance that somebody witnessed the incident. I am appealing for the local community to come forward with information and identify those responsible.”

Anyone with information should contact British Transport Police on Freefone 0800 405040 quoting incident number 473 of 12/11/2007 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.