Lorry crashes on to train, two passengers trapped
A lorry driver is seriously injured after coming off a railway bridge and landing his cement mixer on top of a passing train, trapping two passengers and injuring others.
British Transport Police said that up to 40 people were travelling on the South West Train service from Guildford to London Waterloo when the accident happened around 3.30pm.
The passengers remained on board as the emergency services attend the injured, but have begun to leave the train now. The lorry driver and one other passenger are believed to be seriously injured.
A spokesman for BTP said: “Police were called to the line near to Oxshott rail station after a report that a cement mixer had come off of a road bridge and landed on carriages of a passing passenger service.”
Officers are currently at the scene, along with paramedics and firemen. So far, six passengers are believed to have sustained minor injuries.
Surrey Fire and Rescue services said:
“An HGV hit a parapet and railway lane, hitting the ongoing train which derailed. At this stage they have two people trapped because of their injuries.”
“At this stage they have two people trapped because of their injuries”
The passengers have since been rescued. Timi Raji, 18, who was in the carriage next to the one that was crushed, saw a passenger who was trapped.
He said: “The door was blocked but we could see someone was at the bottom of the carriage, trying to get out.
“The train had been crushed and the guy was trying to escape.
“He was on his stomach and we could only see his feet sticking out. My friends and I were trying to calm him down and talking to him.
“He was saying ‘help, help.”‘
The man was rescued by emergency services and was believed to be suffering back injuries, he added.
South West Trains said the train was brought to an immediate halt when the cement mixer landed towards the tail end of the eight-coach train.
A spokesman said: “So far, there are no reports of fatalities though it is believed there are several people injured.”
Network Rail personnel are on site and will be working with emergency services.
The incident has prompted road closures around Junction 9 on the M25.
Helicopter footage broadcast shows a Premix cement lorry on the tracks beneath a road bridge.
The South West train, can be seen about 50 metres further up the track away from the lorry. It seems that the lorry struck the fourth carriage of the eight carriage train, caving in a large part of the metal roof.
There is a gaping hole in the brickwork at the side of the bridge and debris strewn across the line.