A train derailed in Surrey on Monday morning (March 4) after colliding with an object near Walton-on-Thames. Passengers were safely rescued from the train, but the investigation and repairs will likely take time.
There were no injuries as a result of this accident. Network Rail said an initial investigation revealed the front wheels of the train came off the track after the collision.
Delays and cancellations were first reported at around 6am, and South Western Railway (SWR) has since urged passengers not to travel for the remainder of the day. All routes have been blocked and “extreme disruption” is expected to continue until the end of Monday.
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A Network Rail spokesperson said: “We are truly sorry for the disruption SWR customers are experiencing today. A train collided with an object in the Walton-on-Thames area early this morning. There were no injuries and all passengers were safely escorted from the train. However, the line has been closed while the investigation is underway.”
It added: “Initial investigations indicate that the front wheels of the train have derailed, so it is likely that it will take some time for the railway to open to traffic.” We will let you know as soon as we know the details of the repairs and the schedule for reopening. ”
National Rail has warned of “massive disruption” to services between Woking and Wimbledon, saying this will affect travel to and from London Waterloo, Guildford and Basingstoke. South Western Railway said: “Please do not travel on services between Woking and London Waterloo due to an operational incident in the Walton-on-Thames area.”
“Trains will not be able to run between Woking and London Waterloo as lines running through the area are closed. There will be a knock-on effect on services on other parts of the network as trains and crews are evacuated. ”
For the latest updates on this incident, follow SurreyLive’s live blog on the incident here. Get more news from SurreyLive direct to your inbox for free here.