Four Trains Damaged

[locojoe]

FROM THE BTPOLICE SITE.

07/12/2007 17:12
FOUR TRAINS DAMAGED AFTER A SERIES OF INCIDENTS IN THE OLDHAM AREA

Officers from British Transport Police (BTP) last night, 6 December, arrested two youths after a series of incidents in the Oldham area this week whereby objects including a sofa and block of concrete were thrown onto tracks causing damage and disabling four separate trains.

The first incident occurred at approximately 23:20hrs on Tuesday 4 December when a train collided with a large quantity of steel cable that was tied to the tracks on the approach to Shaw station in Oldham. The Manchester Victoria to Rochdale service became entangled in the cable on impact resulting in the train being disabled.

BTP also received reports, earlier the same evening, of a train colliding with debris which was later found to be a shopping trolley. As a result this train was also taken out of service at Victoria.

The following evening, Wednesday 5 December, officers from BTP responded to further reports of a train striking debris on the tracks. This time a seven by three foot slab of concrete was thrown into the path of the 19.07 Manchester Victoria to Rochdale service. Again the train was damaged and taken out of service.

The latest incident occurred yesterday evening, 6 December, when officers from BTP were called to reports of youths throwing a sofa from a footbridge onto the tracks. Before the sofa could be removed, a train approached and struck the sofa at full speed, smashing it to pieces which fell onto the track at various places down the line.

BTP officers attended and a 16 year old male and a female from the Oldham area were arrested on suspicion of obstruction with intent to endanger life.

The female has since been released with no further action, however the 16 year old male has been released on police bail to return to BTP at a later date.

All four incidents occurred between Shaw and Derker stations near the Meek Street area.

Inspector Dave Parker of British Transport Police investigating said. “I cannot emphasise enough just how dangerous throwing large items on to the tracks can be. The offenders need to understand that these items could have derailed a train with tragic consequences.

“All these incidents occurred in the evening at a similar location and I am appealing for the help of the local community to come forward with information as to who is responsible.”

Anyone with information should contact British Transport Police on Freefone 0800 405040 quoting incident number 621 of 6 December or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.