Witness appeal to train derailment (From Congleton Guardian)

Witness appeal to train derailment

3:01pm Friday 19th December 2008

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BRITISH Transport Police are appealing for witnesses to an incident in which a train was derailed after hitting a car.

The incident happened at about 6pm last night, when two trains hit a 4x4 car on the tracks just north of Congleton at Shellow Lane.

Police said there was a “minor” derailment of the Manchester Deansgate to Stoke service, containing about 30 passengers, but the train remained in an upright position.

The Bristol Temple Meads to Manchester Piccadilly service, containing 87 passengers, and travelling in the opposite direction, remained on the tracks.

There were no reports of serious injuries, although the ambulance service treated some people for minor injuries.

Police said there was no-one in the car, and at this stage it did not appear the vehicle was on the tracks maliciously.

Chief Supt Peter Holden said it was envisaged the railway line would remain closed until tomorrow lunchtime, Saturday December 20.

“We are appealing to anyone who witnessed what happened to contact us on freephone 0800 405040, quoting incident number 466 of December 18 2008.”

Staff at Macclesfield Hospital were praised for their rapid response to the incident.

“Within half an hour of the incident being declared by the ambulance service more than 100 off-duty staff from doctors and nurses to catering managers and administrative officers arrived at the hospital,” said an East Cheshire NHS Trust spokesman.

“They had been told to expect some 20 to 30 injured passengers, but fortunately, after assessment at the scene by emergency services, none was felt to require urgent transfer to the hospital.

“Accident and Emergency staff were put on major incident alert at 6.30pm, and immediately activated the hospital’s major incident response.”

A&E Consultant Dr Ann Robertson said: “We are greatly relieved no-one was seriously hurt, and I would like to thank our staff for their immediate and positive response.

“Everyone prepared themselves to do whatever was necessary, and behaved with consummate professionalism.”

Trust chief executive John Wilbraham echoed Dr Robertson’s praise for staff.

“As soon as we received the call from the ambulance service we put our major incident plans into action,” he said.

“It is a tribute to the dedication of our staff that so many reported for duty within such a short time.

“In spite of the heavy workload during the day, ward staff responded immediately.

“They rapidly identified patients who could safely be discharged if necessary, and we also prepared to cancel non-urgent operations tomorrow (Saturday).

“Fortunately none of these actions was necessary, and the hospital quickly returned to business as usual.”

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