Two trains collided injuring 17 people at Fisherton Tunnel

Two trains collided injuring 17 people leaving one driver trapped.

 in Salisbury on Sunday evening.

 The Great Western and South Western Railway services crashed following a carriage derailment after hitting an object  and damaging signals at Fisherton Tunnel close to London Road in the city of Salisbury.

The line remains closed and disruption will continue for several days as an investigation has been launched.

Families who were out trick or treating and heard the loud smash at 18:46GMT likened the crash to a bomb going off.

The fire service said they evacuated 100 people m with the driver later released from his cab with injuries that were not believed to be serious.

 

There was no screeching like brakes but just a long rumbling sound like thunder hitting the railway line according an eye witness.

An emergency centre was set up at St Marks Church with local people offering blankets, food, drinks, and first-aid.

The rear carriage of the 17.08 Great Western Railway service from Portsmouth Harbour to Bristol Temple Meads derailed on its approach to Salisbury station knocking out signalling in the area. Shortly the 17:20 South Western Railway service from London Waterloo to Honiton collided with the Bristol train.

Engineering teams worked through the night to repair storm damage and services out of London Euston and London King’s Cross have resumed according to Martin Forbisher, Network Rail’s  Safety and Engineering director.