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Passengers on derailed Tube train feared 7/7 all over again
Last updated at 11:13am on 06.07.07Hundreds of terrified Tube passengers were trapped in a tunnel for two hours today after a train derailed during the morning rush hour.
Commuters told how they feared another 7/7-style terror attack had taken place as the Central Line train careered off the tracks at about 30mph before screeching to a halt.
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Emergency services were quickly on hand. One woman said passengers were in tears, thinking it was a repeat of 7/7
Escape: passengers make their way through the tunnel after being trapped for up to two hours
Police have ruled out terrorism but rail investigators were looking at the possibility that something was left on the line.
Thirty-seven passengers needed treatment for problems such as panic attacks, breathing difficulties and an ankle injury.
The incident happened just after 9am between Mile End and Bethnal Green stations in East London as the train headed into the capital.
It is thought six carriages came off the track but the train remained in an upright position.
Jacqui McElroy, 34, a make-up artist, said: "It is always rocky but this time the carriage went up and it felt like we had gone over something. People were shouting and the driver's voice sounded really shaky - he said he did not know what we had gone over, but that we had derailed.
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A fleet of ambulances outside Mile End Tube station
Injured: A passenger carried on a spinal board
Relief: A mother carries her young child out of Mile End today
"Obviously the first thing that goes through your mind is 'Is it terrorists?'."
John Higgins, 34, a transport designer from Chigwell, Essex, said: "We felt the train slow down and it started filling with smoke. Going through our minds was that there was a bomb somewhere because of all the noise."
Howard Collins, deputy chief operating officer for London Underground, said the driver thought some "sheeting" had blocked the track.
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A victim with suspected spinal injury is lifted into an ambulance
He added: "Initial reports from the driver are he saw something white flapping in the tunnel, before he hit it. There was a loud noise and then he hit the brakes. The train came to a stop 800ft from the obstruction it hit." About 900 passengers, including those from the derailed Tube and others in a second train behind it, walked more than half a mile to Mile End station.
The Rail Maritime and Transport Union said it had repeatedly warned London Underground of safety issues on that section of track. General secretary Bob Crow said it was the fourth incident in 18 months in the same area where private contractors were operating.
A spokesman for London Underground said an investigation was under way. He added: "Every night some form of maintenance work and checks are carried out on this section of the Central Line.
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The train derailed at Bethnal Green Station on the Central Line
"It looked like some form of white sheeting had fallen on to the track. It is definitely some form of error or accident rather than a deliberate action."
The incident happened only a few stops from Chancery Lane station on the Central Line where 32 passengers were injured in a derailment in January 2003.
Seven passengers were hurt in a derailment at Camden Town station in October 2003.
A shocked woman is given oxygen
Reader views (14)
This was obviously an accident and handled very well. Kudos to the staff and people who were on the train. It's stilly trying to point fingers to blame people - as is what always happens as no-one is to blame.
- Bloo, London
Its time like this that the ordinary folk really do become heros. Drivers who normally get such a bad press really deserve some credit here, their attitude and professionalism in these sort of circumstances is brilliant.
- Shehzad, Ilford, Essex
I was in the front carriage of the train when the derailment happened and it was terrifying when the train started to career off the tracks. My immediate thoughts were that a bomb had gone off but once we came to a standstill the driver was very quick to inform us that there was an obstacle on the track which had caused the derailment. He was very shaken but held it together well, moving through the carriages to check for injuries. All praise to him and to the emergency services. We had a long wait to get out of the tunnel but once it was finally underway the operation was swift and well managed. It's not something I would ever wish to go through again but I have no choice but to continue using the central line to commute to work. Lets hope someone is held accountable for this avoidable accident which has left many people including myself, badly shaken up and very scared about using the underground. Things could have been so much worse...
- Mjd, London
The emergency services do a wonderful job in very difficult conditions. I was on the derailed train, thankfully in the last seat at the very back of the train. I have nothing but praise for the driver and the staff that helped us off and back along the tracks to Mile End,
I appreciate that in this age of 'Terror' there were a lot of over excited people thinking the worst, but in reality no one was seriously hurt so what if you were a little bit late. I strolled into the office at mid day and had a small audience waiting to hear my story.
- Kris, London
I got stuck in the tunnel between Stratford and Mile End for over an hour - just a little behind the derailed train. Our train was moving fine when suddenly the lights went out and it stopped. Thanks to the train driver who kept us informed right from the start, and all the way through the wait until we were 'rescued' and walked through the tunnel to Mile End. Everything was very orderly. Just glad the incident was not worse!
- Nasar, London
"90 minutes after the derailment a major evacuation operation began as temperatures deep underground hit 100f "
To wait 90mins for evacuation to BEGIN is simply appalling. It smacks of gross incompetence.
Every station should have a drill in place to start evacuating passengers far sooner than that. (I'd say after no more than 15mins max, passengers should know they are about to be led out.)
I come from the aviation industry, and such a delay - as happened today - would never be tolerated, say, if an aircraft hit something on the ground.
- Martin Fendt, London, UK.
This happened at 9.05 in the morning, it took emergency service 1.5 hours to start evacuating and passengers were still allowed to board from different stations. I was stuck, trapped for 40 minutes in between Tottenham Court Road and Holborn stations. Surely notices should have been placed in prominent postions to stop people from getting on the trains. This has cuased unneccessary delays and distress to hundreds more people that were not directly involved in this morning's incident. There has to be a better way of dealing with issues such as these.
- Rama Barot, London
Oh No - not again! It has taken me 3 years to get over the travel trauma from the last Central Line derailment and LU's complete ineptitude with contingency travel arrangements.
The last time this happened it took 3 months to get the line operational again, will any lessons have been learned from the previous experience? LU please note; bussing Epping branch Central Line users to Barking (on the District) is not acceptable when Walthamstow (on the Victoria) is less than half the distance and half the journey time. It might be a good idea to get the bus lanes cleared too!
Good luck to all fellow travellers and remember to claim back all those fares on your annual oyster.
- Steve W, London
To whom at TFL do I send my 45 quid taxi receipt, I wonder?
- Darren, Wanstead, London
Another reason the PPP needs to be reviewed, Metronet are obviously incapable of fulfilling their contract with LU and should be ditched asap.
- Trevor Roll, London
I well remember the last time there was a derailment on the Central Line and the three months I had to travel to work by the Jubilee Line adding 30 minutes each way to my journey.
I hope TFL get it sorted out faster than the last time.
- Lesley, Southend
Here we go. Delays and closures for 10 weeks and a hike in fares. Great. When will the government sort Metronet out once and for all?
- Jay, London
Another one. Will people finally get the sack over these accidents and delays?
- Georgie, London
Luckily mayor Ken has these fantastic blue Oyster cards!
- Pete, London
