This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-23571002

The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
First Great Western apology over passengers stranded on train First Great Western apology over passengers stranded on train
(35 minutes later)
First Great Western has apologised after hundreds of passengers were stranded in a broken-down train for almost six hours.First Great Western has apologised after hundreds of passengers were stranded in a broken-down train for almost six hours.
The operator said there were just under 500 people on the Penzance to London Paddington service when it stalled near Pewsey, Wiltshire.The operator said there were just under 500 people on the Penzance to London Paddington service when it stalled near Pewsey, Wiltshire.
It said the delay was "unacceptable" and refunds would be given.It said the delay was "unacceptable" and refunds would be given.
Passengers described the journey as "horrific" and claimed they were "treated like cattle".Passengers described the journey as "horrific" and claimed they were "treated like cattle".
The train was at a standstill for five hours and 40 minutes, arriving at Paddington at about 22:15 BST.The train was at a standstill for five hours and 40 minutes, arriving at Paddington at about 22:15 BST.
It was caused by a fractured air pipe, which caused the brakes to lock.It was caused by a fractured air pipe, which caused the brakes to lock.
'Train overcrowded'
A woman on board told the BBC: "They ran out of food pretty quickly. They ran out of food the first or second hour into the breakdown and then water - I think they were giving out water to children and the elderly but that was about it."A woman on board told the BBC: "They ran out of food pretty quickly. They ran out of food the first or second hour into the breakdown and then water - I think they were giving out water to children and the elderly but that was about it."
Another passenger added: "The train was overcrowded before it even broke down. There was probably 20 or 30 people in each carriage who couldn't sit down."Another passenger added: "The train was overcrowded before it even broke down. There was probably 20 or 30 people in each carriage who couldn't sit down."
A spokeswoman for First Great Western said: "I'm really sorry for the significant delay experienced by our customers on the 11am train from Penzance to London Paddington. First Great Western managing director Mark Hopwood said there was "no doubt it wasn't a good experience in any shape or form last night".
"A delay of this magnitude is unacceptable and a full investigation will be carried out." He said: "Clearly what I need to do is say sorry.
"We are sorry. We need to investigate what's gone on and we need to learn some lessons quickly from this."
"It took a lot longer to find the fault than we wanted."
He added that all the affected customers would receive a refund and "appropriate compensation".
A spokeswoman for First Great Western added that a "delay of this magnitude is unacceptable and a full investigation will be carried out".
'Extensive work''Extensive work'
She added: "Our priority was to make sure our customers were looked after on the train and to get them moving as soon as we could. She said: "Our priority was to make sure our customers were looked after on the train and to get them moving as soon as we could.
"After extensive work to the train to get it moving, customers were met at Reading and London Paddington to make sure they could get to where they needed to go.""After extensive work to the train to get it moving, customers were met at Reading and London Paddington to make sure they could get to where they needed to go."
A number of people on board the train vented their frustration on Twitter.A number of people on board the train vented their frustration on Twitter.
One passenger, Sarah, tweeted that they had been "treated like cattle", adding: "No food, no water, no air con, no toilets flushing!One passenger, Sarah, tweeted that they had been "treated like cattle", adding: "No food, no water, no air con, no toilets flushing!
"Management on trains not communicating with passengers at all.""Management on trains not communicating with passengers at all."
Mike Haydock tweeted: "Horrific journey with @FGW - train just started moving again after a five-and-a-half-hour standstill."Mike Haydock tweeted: "Horrific journey with @FGW - train just started moving again after a five-and-a-half-hour standstill."