Vandals try to derail train (From Worcester News)
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Vandals try to derail train
10:26am Friday 24th August 2012 in News By Robert Hale
Vandals try to derail train
PASSENGERS were lucky to escape unscathed after mindless vandals put a 20ft piece of rail on the train tracks at Malvern.
The reckless incident resulted in a train hitting the rail but police said fortunately it was not derailed and the eight passengers were unharmed.
Police spokesman Brian Price described the vandalism as “incredibly dangerous”.
He said. “The train hit the rail and luckily it was not derailed, although it did suffer some damage. It’s incredibly dangerous to place obstructions on the track because there is a strong possibility of derailing the train and causing severe injury or death.”
The 20-foot metal rail, which was being stored alongside the railway line, was hit at 3.41pm on Wednesday by a First Great Western service to London Paddington, which had just left Great Malvern station.
The rail had been placed across the track close to Sling Lane, about half-a-mile from the station. Yesterday, British Transport Police were conducting door-to-door inquiries to track down the culprits.
The vandalism threw the rail network into chaos for several hours.
More than 40 passengers were trapped on three trains.
Thirty-three passengers aboard the 3.14pm service from Hereford to London Paddington and passengers on the 3.30pm service from Great Malvern to Whitlocks End were also trapped following the incident, Services to and from Birmingham, Oxford and London, and the West Country were cancelled or delayed. Rail staff organised replacement coach services.
Anyone with information can call police on 0800 405040 quoting reference 399/22/08.
Comments(22)
mr.meldrew
says...
10:49am Fri 24 Aug 12
spider666
says...
11:13am Fri 24 Aug 12
wr5resident2 wrote:Please tell me wr5resident2 where the report says the mindless idiots behind this are receiving benefits--people like you annoy me so much,yes there are countless people who could do more to find a job and there are countless more who are doing their best to better themselves,but how you can come to the conclusion that it is one of these that tried to derail this train is beyond me !!!!
Yet another justification for keeping the idle hands of benefit recipients occupied! Make them attend somewhere 9 to 5 every day like the rest of us.
More Tea Vicar
says...
11:17am Fri 24 Aug 12
wr5resident2 wrote:You've got no reason whatsoever to make that assumption about these people.
Yet another justification for keeping the idle hands of benefit recipients occupied! Make them attend somewhere 9 to 5 every day like the rest of us.
I agree with you that those who can work should work, but don't see any link at this stage to this story - unless you know something the rest of us don't?
More Tea Vicar
says...
11:18am Fri 24 Aug 12
Whoever did it needs locking up, for a very long time.
bobnohope
says...
11:30am Fri 24 Aug 12
Absolutely no excuse for this act and a twenty year sentence should be imposed.
GroovyChick
says...
12:26pm Fri 24 Aug 12
Jabbadad
says...
12:45pm Fri 24 Aug 12
When I look back 70 years at listening to the older kids saying that if you put a Halfpenny on a railway line the Steam locomotive would squash it until it was the size of a penny, but the risk of getting caught was so real that only the brave or daft, dared. Since getting caught by the local bobby was as bad as it got, sometimes a sound clip around the ears, and then you had to face the wrath at home from parents who these days would be in serious trouble for making your backside hurt from a sound smacking.
So again the do-gooders have brought most of this lawlessness we now suffer.
And yes if caught those guilty should have serious punishment. Since although our punishment we got both at home or school was tough it did not make us beat our kids to get revenge.
MrSeeEss
says...
1:23pm Fri 24 Aug 12
Andy-Apache
says...
3:41pm Fri 24 Aug 12
Kids (I'm assuming that this was kids) should know the difference between right and wrong, even when the temptation of a rail on a railway (who'd have thought eh?) presents itself. They are responsible for their own actions, and it is in no way the fault of the railways for daring to leave necessary equipment nearby, or not putting up razor wire to keep idiots out.
School hols, way too long, with far too much time to get bored. I'd like to see them shortened to two weeks. It would have the side effect of helping working parents, though I doubt 'overworked' teachers enjoy the idea quite so much!
MrSeeEss
says...
3:47pm Fri 24 Aug 12
But by your logic, would you store a pallet full of bricks on your driveway and then park your car next to it??
No? Why's that then?
Olley Owl Owd Betts Barn
says...
4:05pm Fri 24 Aug 12
What age are these vandals? Who can lift a 20ft. piece steel?
Some very arrogant comments have been made. Quote “Yet another justification for keeping the idle hands of benefit recipients occupied! Make them attend somewhere 9 to 5 every day like the rest of us.”
Sir /Madam, you are tarring all unemployed as being workshy or of being responsible for this type of vandalism. Shame on you for your way out of line remark against persons who have more than likely been employed for many years. However, due to our economic capitalist system have been cast aside like some unwanted toy.
Whoever, committed this particular dangerous act needs to be brought to justice and severely punished. What they attempted to cause, was premeditated, and without any consideration of the safety of others.
When finally identified, and brought to justice, let hope those responsible for our justices system deal out a very harsh and maximum possible sentence.
More Tea Vicar
says...
4:25pm Fri 24 Aug 12
Jabbadad wrote:I wouldn't necessarily make that assumption.
I think it would be a fair assumption that those responsible would perhaps be among those with lot's of leisure time on their hands, which of course also brings some of the unruly kids who are currently off school into the agenda. When I look back 70 years at listening to the older kids saying that if you put a Halfpenny on a railway line the Steam locomotive would squash it until it was the size of a penny, but the risk of getting caught was so real that only the brave or daft, dared. Since getting caught by the local bobby was as bad as it got, sometimes a sound clip around the ears, and then you had to face the wrath at home from parents who these days would be in serious trouble for making your backside hurt from a sound smacking. So again the do-gooders have brought most of this lawlessness we now suffer. And yes if caught those guilty should have serious punishment. Since although our punishment we got both at home or school was tough it did not make us beat our kids to get revenge.
You may be right, but on the other hand, idiocy isn't the sole preserve of the young. Could just as easily be people trying to nick some metal, and changing their mind.
Either way, whoever it is deserves very serious punishment.
This could have caused a lot of deaths. But then, look at that drunk HGV driver sentenced to a couple of years for driving the wrong way down the M6.
worcswolf
says...
4:59pm Fri 24 Aug 12
Olley Owl Owd Betts Barn
says...
5:13pm Fri 24 Aug 12
worcswolf wrote:You are one hundred per cent correct. Bring back George Jeffrey’s, or restore his type of punishment.
The railway is accessible from loads of points on the network, the rail would've been left their ready to replace it. The people placing it on their were trespassing and how can you blame railway for leaving it their. I don't understand your reasoning you should be able to park your car next to a pallet of bricks, it's the idiots who need to be taught that.
molecat
says...
6:35pm Fri 24 Aug 12
Olley Owl Owd Betts Barn wrote:I think you've hit the nail on the he'd there about the weight of this section of rail - a bunch of kids wouldn't have been able to lift it. My suspicions would be that this wasn't an act of vandalism at all. The most likely scenario was that a gang of blokes was trying to steal it for scrap, they heard a trian coming , dropped the rail and ran for it.
Vandals get the blame for any destruction or damage that interrupts our normal way of life. A 20ft length of steel placed across the railway tracks.
What age are these vandals? Who can lift a 20ft. piece steel?
Some very arrogant comments have been made. Quote “Yet another justification for keeping the idle hands of benefit recipients occupied! Make them attend somewhere 9 to 5 every day like the rest of us.”
Sir /Madam, you are tarring all unemployed as being workshy or of being responsible for this type of vandalism. Shame on you for your way out of line remark against persons who have more than likely been employed for many years. However, due to our economic capitalist system have been cast aside like some unwanted toy.
Whoever, committed this particular dangerous act needs to be brought to justice and severely punished. What they attempted to cause, was premeditated, and without any consideration of the safety of others.
When finally identified, and brought to justice, let hope those responsible for our justices system deal out a very harsh and maximum possible sentence.
Off now to buy a pipe and a deerstalker.
Olley Owl Owd Betts Barn
says...
7:32am Sat 25 Aug 12
We always seem to read of this type of senseless activity, and automatically someone will refer to those who are in receipt of unemployment benefit. Over the years our country has been the envy of many, our benefits system caters for those who are in most need. We have benefits for all manner of reasons. Yes, we also have those who may be benefit frauds. However when statements are made Quote “Yet another justification for keeping the idle hands of benefit recipients occupied! Make them attend somewhere 9 to 5 every day like the rest of us.”
Unquote. It relate specifically to those who have no work, or have been forced out worked using that term surplus to requirement. (Redundant)
While those who are employed from 9 to 5 doing whatever task they are luckily enough to be employed. Criticise those who have probably worked from the age 0f 15 for forty years (starting at 8am to 5.30pm) then been told you are surplus to our needs. Many of those who are in receipt of unemployment benefit if they had to go somewhere from 9 to 5 and received an hourly rate for doings so would very likely be delighted to attend.
Anukrishna12
says...
9:29am Sat 25 Aug 12
wr5resident2 wrote:Doh! Yet another justification for raising educational standards, to teach people how to apply their intelligence, and not draw spurious conclusions out of magic hats crudely fabricated from their own bigoted prejudices.
Yet another justification for keeping the idle hands of benefit recipients occupied! Make them attend somewhere 9 to 5 every day like the rest of us.
boredwiththis
says...
5:56pm Sat 25 Aug 12
ushmush83
says...
10:51am Tue 28 Aug 12
MrSeeEss wrote:Why on earth wouldn't you do that? I have seen this very scenario many times.
I am in no way justifying it, don't get me wrong.
But by your logic, would you store a pallet full of bricks on your driveway and then park your car next to it??
No? Why's that then?
deborah-coldicottcollins
says...
11:00am Thu 30 Aug 12
MrSeeEss
says...
11:19am Thu 30 Aug 12
ushmush83 wrote:Because there would be an elevated risk of some mindless idiot doing some damage.
MrSeeEss wrote:Why on earth wouldn't you do that? I have seen this very scenario many times.
I am in no way justifying it, don't get me wrong.
But by your logic, would you store a pallet full of bricks on your driveway and then park your car next to it??
No? Why's that then?
Like it or not, there are vandals in the world, so why tempt fate?
That's the only point I am trying to make.
If you remove the opportunity, you remove the risk.
wr5resident2 says...
10:38am Fri 24 Aug 12