British Transport Police (BTP) officers are appealing for information after a train struck a mountain bike that had been deliberately thrown onto the railway line at Yate station, near Bristol, on Sunday 19 February.
Sgt Cliff Parker, of BTP, said the incident could have had serious consequences as the bike was struck by a high speed train travelling at around 100mph.
The incident, which was reported to BTP at 7.13pm on Sunday 19 February, was witnessed by a number of passengers who were at the station at the time.
The witnesses have told BTP officers that a youth, aged about 15 or 16, allegedly threw the red and silver mountain bike on to the tracks before cycling away from the station on another bike just moments before an Exeter St David’s to Leeds express train struck the bike.
Sgt Parker said: “The train that struck the bike suffered damage to its air pipes which caused delays to passengers as a result. A number of other services had to be diverted, causing further delays and inconvenience to passengers.”
Officers are conducting several lines of enquiry including house to house visits in the local area and are appealing for anyone with information about this malicious crime to come forward.
Sgt Parker added: “This was a mindless act of vandalism which could have caused injuries or worse. Thankfully, on this occasion the train remained upright, on the tracks and no one was injured.
“Although this may seem like fun to those who commit such offences, what they don’t realise are the potentially serious consequences of their extremely foolish behaviour.
“I am now appealing for anyone with information to come forward and assist the investigation.
“We urgently need to identify and speak to the teenage boy who was seen throwing the bike onto the tracks. He is described as white, aged about 15 or 16, and was wearing a grey hooded top and a grey tracksuit.
“Additionally, you may know someone who owned a red and silver-coloured Apollo FS 26 mountain bike and who now no longer has that bike. If that is the case, I’d also urge you to come forward.”
