British Transport Police (BTP) has condemned ‘mindless vandals’ who placed troughing lids and corrugated metal sheets on the railway in Cardiff, subsequently struck by two trains.
The busy passenger services collided with the metal objects at St Fagans on Saturday (22 October).
Both trains – on board which were a number of Swansea City fans returning from their club’s Barclays Premier League match at Wolverhampton – were brought to a standstill as officers cleared the tracks and train staff checked the services for damage.
The first incident, which was reported to BTP at 6pm, involved the 1545hrs London Paddington to Swansea service.
An hour later, the 1645hrs London Paddington to Swansea service also struck metal objects deliberately placed on the tracks in the same location.
Cardiff based Inspector Gary Ash said:
“This was a deliberate and malicious act which could so easily have resulted in tragedy.
“Both trains were very busy and the safety of those passengers was seriously compromised by this senseless act of vandalism.”
Inspector Ash said the incidents – which took place the Cardiff side of the St Fagans level crossing, in an area known locally as Plymouth Woods – had left him stunned.
“This was a determined effort to damage trains and the potential results of these actions really does not bear thinking about. I cannot understand why anyone would do this sort of thing.
“We will be stepping up patrols in the area during half-term and beyond. I am absolutely determined to catch those responsible for this callous act.
“Officers are currently conducting local inquiries into the incident and I would ask anyone with any information that could help our investigation to come forward as a matter of urgency.”
Anyone with information about this incident should contact British Transport Police on Freefone 0800 40 50 40 quoting reference B6/WCA of 26/10/2011 or call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
