Tube Train Derailed - 29 Injured (UK)

Sky News ^ | 16:23 UK, Saturday January 25, 2003 | Sky News

[colette_g]

TUBE TRAIN DERAILED

A London tube train has derailed and crashed at Chancery Lane station.

At least 29 people have been injured. There are no reports of fatalities and Scotland Yard said terrorism was not the suspected cause of the crash.

London Underground said the last three carriages of the Central Line service left the track and hit the platform.

All 800 passengers have now been taken off the train and none of the injuries were thought to be serious, said London Underground.

A Fire Brigade spokeswoman said crews were still searching the train and track for further casualties.

'Shaking'

Earlier reports said that smoke was rising from the station but it turned out to be dust from the crash and a London Underground spokesman said there was no fire.

Shaun MacMahon, who had been a passenger on the train, said: "The thing just started shaking, glass was shattering.

"Something snapped underneath when we were at Liverpool Street. When we got into Chancery Lane the doors just ripped off. I just couldn't get out, people were panicking."

Another passenger, Claire Ellis, her face blackened, told how she had been trapped in her Tube carriage after the accident.

'Panicking'

"I was absolutely panicking, we couldn't get out, all the lights went out and we could see people running along the platform.

"We were thinking 'This is it, this is the day it happens'."

Services have been suspended on the Central Line in both directions between Liverpool Street and Marble Arch.

Various roads in the Holborn and Chancery Lane area have been closed by the police.

More to follow...

[Willie Green]

But then you get the problem of keeping the damn magnets properly inflated and balanced.

Dang! I forgot about that.
Back to the drawing board... (((sigh)))

[Willie Green]

If you build a bunch of Maglev trains now, you'ld probably have to run them upside-down when the poles shift.

I don't think that'd be much of a problem for passengers who buy round-trip tickets.
Might be an inconvenience for others, though, they'd have to get used to traveling backwards.