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Emergency services tonight scrambled to West Wickham railway station after a commuter train smashed into a fallen tree on the tracks.
The terrifying incident at the station in Bromley, southeast London, sparked travel chaos, with trains on the line either cancelled, diverted or delayed.
At around 6.45pm this evening, Southeastern Railway said fire crews were on site to remove the tree, while engineers were also dispatched.
Hayes line trains will terminate at Elmers End, or be diverted to run to and from Orpington, the rail service said.
In footage seen by MailOnline, a train appears to have partially derailed from the track after colliding with the tree. A second train had also come to a halt, leaving all parts of the track blocked.
Frustrated passengers have also shared photos of the tree from outside their carriage windows.
One wrote: ‘Can we please just get off and walk? How do you know the power will return to the line after the tree is removed?’
Another stranded passenger claimed that the tree had been knocked into them by an oncoming train.
Southeastern Railway has confirmed just before 8pm that the fire brigade were called to cut up the tree blocking the line.
They said that emergency crews managed to clear the tree and services should later resume.
National Rail’s website said disruption was expected until around 8.30pm.
A post said: ‘We have received reports of a tree blocking the railway at West Wickham.
‘The tree has now been removed and the fire brigade are ensuring the area is safe.
‘The engineers are also on site assessing the train to ensure it is ready to move when the current is switched back on.’
It comes as rail passengers face more travel misery on the weekend as there will be no Southeastern trains from London Cannon Street this weekend due to engineering works.
On Saturday, Woolwich Line trains between London Cannon Street and Slade Green via Greenwich will not run. Meanwhile, train services between Cannon Street and Gravesend via Woolwich will be diverted to run from London Charing Cross.
On the Hayes Line, trains will run every 30 minutes between Charing Cross and Hayes and will run via Lewisham.
Elsewhere, trains between Cannon Street and Slade Green via Bexleyheath will not run. And services between London Charing Cross and Dartford via Bexleyheath will run every 30 minutes.
Stopping services between London Cannon Street and Orpington will not run on the Grove Park Line.
Travel chaos will extend into Sunday with trains between Cannon Street and Slade Green via Greenwich still out of action – with disruption also expected via Bexleyheath too.
William Turner is a seasoned U.K. correspondent with a deep understanding of domestic affairs. With a passion for British politics and culture, he provides insightful analysis and comprehensive coverage of events within the United Kingdom.
