Two arrested after police search for vandals who tried to derail train (From Worcester News)

Two arrested after police search for vandals who tried to derail train

10:27am Monday 10th September 2012 in News By Elizabeth Sweetman, @lizsweetmanWN #worcsnews

TWO men have been arrested on suspicion on obstructing the railway following an incident in Worcestershire last month.

The men, aged 18 and 21, and from Malvern, were arrested on Thursday (Sept 6) by British Transport Police officers investigating an incident on the railway line near to Sling Lane, Malvern, on Wednesday, August 22, following an appeal in the local media.

As previously reported in your Worcester News, train passengers were lucky to escape unscathed after a First Great Western train hit a 20ft piece of scrap rail which had been put on the tracks by vandals.

None of the passengers or staff on board the 3.22pm service to London Paddington service was injured and the train remained upright and on the tracks.

However, the incident caused big delays for hundreds of passengers as services to and from Birmingham, Oxford and London, and the West Country were cancelled or held up.

The two men were released on police bail until Monday, October 1, pending further enquiries.

Investigating officer, Detective Constable Steve Eyers, said: “I would like to thank the local media and members of the public for their invaluable assistance following our appeal for information.”