Storm Gerrit debris smashes front window of high-speed train as driver ‘escapes unharmed’
- Witnesses say the driver escaped unharmed after the horror incident today
This is the horrifying scene where the front of a high-speed train was destroyed after debris smashed the front window amid chaos as Storm Gerrit sweeps the nation.
Witnesses say the driver escaped unharmed, but passengers of the ScotRail vehicle left the train after it stopped just north of Broughty Ferry station in Dundee.
Shocking pictures of the scene appear to show the entire front window of the train had been blown out, while part of the left hand side had been smashed to pieces with only splintered edges remaining.
On the left hand side the side window had also been shattered, while a further gash had been cut through the side of the cabin.
Rail passengers have been left stranded until at least tomorrow after 70mph gales and rain have disrupted routes across the UK.
One passenger posted the shocking picture with the simple caption: 'Hopefully the driver is ok'.
Witnesses say the driver escaped unharmed, but passengers were ScotRail left the train after it stopped just north of Broughty Ferry station in Dundee
Shocking pictures of the scene appear to show the entire front window of the train had been blown out, while part of the left hand side had been smashed to pieces with only splintered edges remaining
Another - called Ben - added that the driver walked through the train after the incident and passengers had no idea about the extent of the damage until they saw the train from beside the tracks.
ScotRail has warned that trains will not be running on trainlines in Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, Inverness, Perth, the West Highlands, and Kyle due to the 'extreme weather'.
And they have said these will not reopen today as safety checks are required 'in daylight tomorrow'.
Phil Campbell, ScotRail Customer Operations Director, said: 'Storm Gerrit has brought yellow weather warnings for high winds, rain, and snow across most of Scotland, which does bring the risk of trees and other objects falling on the railway infrastructure.
'We're sorry to customers who have experienced disruption to their journey as a result of this incident and we are pleased to confirm the driver and all passengers are safe and well.
'We'd encourage customers who plan to travel today and tomorrow to check their journey before setting off, and keep an eye on our website, mobile app, or social media channels for live updates.'
Scottish Fire and Rescue Service declined to comment on the incident as they are 'extremely busy'.
Train operator London North Eastern Railway (LNER), which runs services between London and Scotland on the East Coast Main Line, has advised customers not to travel due to the weather.
Customers stranded by the disruption were told to book hotels which they can claim back.
Avanti West Coast, which operates services on the West Coast Main Line, said its route to Scotland is impassable, with all services to and from London terminating at Preston.
Those with pre-booked tickets for travel between Preston and either Edinburgh or Glasgow can board trains tomorrow or Friday.
Disruption caused by Storm Gerrit has brought misery for travellers on their way home from the Christmas holidays across the country as high speed winds and heavy rain cause delays to road, rail, air and ferry transport.
Traffic battles through blizzards on the A9 near Aviemore as Storm Gerrit hits Scotland today
Passengers at London King's Cross station today amid major disruption to LNER services
Hundreds of motorists were also stranded for up to four hours in heavy snow on a major road today and 18 British Airways flights have been cancelled due to air traffic control restrictions.
The Met Office imposed nine warnings until the early hours of tomorrow with the storm also set to bring three inches of rain and eight inches of snow.
A rainfall gauge at the Great Langdale Valley in the Lake District has seen the highest accumulation so far, with 77.6mm - nearly half the usual 178mm monthly rainfall for December, the Met Office said.
The fastest recorded wind gusts so far are 86mph at Inverbervie on the north-east coast of Scotland, 84mph at Fair Isle and 83mph at Capel Curig, north Wales, the forecaster said. Around 2-3cm of snow have fallen in Aviemore in the Cairngorms.
Drivers were at a standstill on the A9 at Dalnaspidal in Perthshire due to blizzard conditions with snowploughs unable to help because they were stuck behind cars.
Highland Council declared a major incident because of 'miles of vehicles' stuck in 'very severe conditions', with agencies now prioritising the most vulnerable drivers.
The same road was also hit by severe flooding 30 miles away at Ballinluig with Police Scotland urging people to avoid the route amid 'challenging weather conditions'.
The Scottish Premiership football match between Rangers and Ross County at Ibrox had to be postponed because the away team were unable to travel to Glasgow.
EdinburghGlasgow[4][5]References
- ^ Iwan Stone (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ Mark Duell (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ Natasha Anderson (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ Edinburgh (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ Glasgow (www.dailymail.co.uk)