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Trains at standstill after crash Train hits 'runaway' car on line
(about 1 hour later)
Trains on a major route are at a standstill after a car got onto the tracks and was struck in Cheshire. A car has been hit by a train after it rolled down a hill onto a railway line in Cheshire.
At least one train came off the tracks near Congleton, affecting services between Stockport and Stoke-on-Trent. The vehicle, an empty 4x4, went on to the track at North Rode in Congleton, where it was hit by a southbound train.
Reports from Network Rail and British Transport Police suggest the car was struck by either one or two trains. Cheshire Police said several passengers in the train suffered minor injuries, but no-one was seriously hurt.
There have been no reports of major injuries and emergency services are still at the scene. Services are being diverted via Crewe. Part of the train was derailed during the collision. A second train was also involved but is not believed to have hit the car.
Minor injuries A Network Rail spokeswoman said: "We understand this has been caused by someone who has not paid too much attention to putting on their handbrake, causing their car to go down a hill, through a boundary fence and on to the track."
The car, which is thought to have rolled onto the track at North Road, Congleton after being left without its handbrake on, was unoccupied at the time of the crash. Investigation begins
Network Rail said some passengers on a Northern Rail service from Manchester to Stoke-on-Trent suffered minor injuries. The car was hit at about 1800 GMT by the southbound Deansgate to Stoke-on-Trent service.
The other service thought to be involved was a Cross Country service from Bristol to Manchester. The spokesman said: "The Bristol Temple Meads to Manchester Piccadilly service was also involved as it was going past at the time, but it is not believed to have hit the car."
Trains are currently at a standstill along the line. An investigation has been launched by British Transport Police, who attended the scene with fire crews and the ambulance service.
One passenger, John Lee, 66, travelling to Manchester from London Euston, said his train came to a standstill just north of Stoke-on-Trent at about 1750 GMT. An Ambulance Service spokesman said no casualties were taken to hospital, but Cheshire Police confirmed passengers were being evacuated from the train.
'No movement' Network Rail said services between Manchester and London would not be affected by the crash, but local rail services between Stockport and Stoke on Trent would be subject to delays.
He said passengers were told there had been an accident ahead and that staff were handing out water but there had been no movement yet.
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