Train terror as yobs throw bar on tracks

Alan Salter

October 30, 2006

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A TRAIN was seriously damaged when it ploughed into a metal bar thrown across the track by thugs at a Manchester station.

The wreckers ripped a 10ft long safety handrail from the side of the line and left it across the tracks at Burnage station, where it was hit by a train travelling at high speed on its way from Manchester Airport to Piccadilly.

No one was hurt, but the bar smashed the front windscreen and the driver's table and caused major structural damage.

The cost of repairs is likely to be more than é20,000.

Risk

Pc Christopher Walker, of British Transport Police, said: "These people have put the driver and everyone on that train's lives at risk.

"An object like this clearly had the potential to derail this train. I am appealing for the local community to come forward with information to assist with the investigation."

It is not known how many people were on the train, but it is understood the driver was able to continue his journey to Piccadilly, where the train was taken out of service.

Insp David Parker of BTP said: "We do get problems at Burnage from time to time, mainly with anti-social behaviour by youths on the station and occasionally with damage to trains. It seems to come in spells."

Anyone with information should call Pc Walker at British Transport Police on 0800405040 or Crimestoppers on 0800555111.

Should sentences be stiffer for railway vandals? Have your say.

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Showing comments 1 to 13 and replies | View All

Sarah, Preston (30/10/2006 at 11:34)

No doubt they'll get a slap on the wrists, if the police can be bothered to track them down.

naz, city centre (30/10/2006 at 11:42)

what will really happen to them if they get caught which is a slim chance? charge should be no less then attempted murder.

John, Salford (30/10/2006 at 11:53)

In each and every case the culprits should suffer the maximum penalty for attempted murder.

Mrs T, at work (30/10/2006 at 13:00)

Another reason for Barbara Reids idea about boot camp! What is wrong with these kids?? Do they not understand that they could've killed people? They should be done for attempted murder on the driver alone. Poor fella must've feared for his life. Bring back national service and boot camps if they cant behave!

Outraged, At home (30/10/2006 at 13:03)

What kind of person puts a bar across a railtrack?. These kids are seriously mentally disturbed. It is sick behaviour. are they completely thick that they dont understand that placing a bar on a railtrack could kill people. Why do they do it? Is it entertainment to watch a train window being smashed? Would it be so entertaining to them if the train derailed and 100 people died?. Would they still be laughing if they went home that night and were told that their parents, brothers and sisters had been killed by some scally imbiciles who decided to put a bar on a train track because they thought it would be funny. They think it makes them tough and hard to go bouncing around like toytown gangsters doing things like that. it makes my blood boil. Lock them up for attempted murder of every single passenger on that train so they will never come out and do something like that again. ...........idiots

Gor's Girlfriend, Hyde (30/10/2006 at 13:57)

bring back national service!

Louise, Ashton (30/10/2006 at 15:56)

just recently there has also been arson attacks at a signal box which put Ashton/Stalybridge route trains out for over a week and one at Guide Bridge. I have been on the train many a time (I get the train to and from work every day) and its been hit by a brick or something similar. its very frightening. is the Government going to wait until innocent people are killed until they change the law and crack down hard on these wannabe murderers?

JN, Lancs (30/10/2006 at 17:14)

These are youths with too much time on their hands, and absolutely no parental guidance.If the children are caught, make sure the parents get some punishment as well, and perhaps the parents will reconsider how much freedom they allow their children after that!! Some parents don't care as long as the children are not under their feet, spoiling their lives. What happens to the lives of anyone involved in the accidents they could cause though?

ace riley, manchester (30/10/2006 at 18:57)

Make it law that parents who are out of work must spend a certain amount of their free time with children in their area in a community centre each day ? maybe this would instill some form of control in these kids .if the parents have nothing to do make them work for their money maybe this would take the strain off our system

Jake Long, Manchester, City Centre (30/10/2006 at 19:11)

Quick, Quick, it's time to introduce lower speed limits on the trains. - Well that's what they do with roads anyway.

lizzard, Devon (30/10/2006 at 19:36)

Outraged, at home, The answer to all your questions is YES!.

sh, lancs (30/10/2006 at 20:13)

why should the police even bother to catch these thugs, the do-gooders that inhabit our courts (judges and magistrates) will only let them off when they are brought before them. perhaps things would change if a relative of one of these upholders of the law became a victim!

Alan Crump, Los Angeles, Calif (31/10/2006 at 00:46)

These yobs are so thick and sick that I doubt if they could even be trained to be human. If they are caught then maybe they should be laid across the train lines to see if they are thick and tough enough to stop a train. Not very christianlike but it would sure as Heck scare the living daylights out of them and I am sure one way or another they would not put anyting on the tracks again

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