Vandals put slab in path of train

The train was heading for Fawley refinery when the driver spotted an object on the track near a playing field at Shore Road, Hythe, in the New Forest.

British Transport Police said the locomotive crashed into the obstruction, but stayed on the rails.

Pc Graham Hockley said: "I dread to think what would have happened if the wagons had been derailed and some sparks had ignited the contents.

"People take a short cut across the line and mindless morons obviously thought it would be fun to place an object on the rails.

"There could have been a very serious incident."

But a refinery spokesman said crude oil was not highly inflammable.

"However we deplore any form of irresponsible behaviour on the railways - many youngsters are killed and injured each year while trespassing on lines," he said.

"We'll be talking to British Transport Police to see if they can focus some resources on the Hythe area as part of their education initiative on the dangers of trespassing on railways."

A BTP spokesman said the 3ft-long piece of concrete was placed on the track near an unmanned level crossing at Frost Lane.

He said: "The train crashed into the object, breaking it in two, which was a very frightening experience for the driver.

"A train travelling faster might have been derailed."

A Railtrack spokeswoman in London said she had no knowledge of the incident, but expressed concern at the potential consequences.

She added: "Railway lines should never be regarded as a playground and we do everything possible to keep children away from the tracks.

"Vandals are putting their own safety at risk as well as endangering the lives of drivers and passengers.

"A train is more difficult to derail than many people think, but hitting an object on the line can cause quite a bump.

"It can knock one of the wheels off the rail."

Converted for the new archive on 25 January 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.