Carriages from train that jumped rails are righted

A FORMAL investigation could be launched into how a passenger train came off the rails in a Todmorden tunnel.
The Rail Accident Investigation Branch is conducting a preliminary examination at Summit Tunnel, Walsden, where the First TransPennine Express train came off the tracks in the early hours of Tuesday with 45 passengers and two crew aboard.

A spokesman from the Department for Transport said: "Officers have been to the scene and based on the findings of their examination they may choose to investigate."

The 12.38am service from Manchester Airport to York hit a block of ice, reportedly the size of a car, before the first of three carriages jumped the track and veered into the tunnel wall.

The ice is believed to have fallen from an air vent.

British Transport Police said it would be working alongside the investigation branch.

It is believed the ice fell from an air vent in the tunnel roof. The line was shut for almost 23 hours.

The carriages were righted using a piece of equipment known as a bruff just before 1.30pm. The line reopened at 11pm.

The day's services had already been hit by a conductors' strike but were back to normal yesterday.

Story provided by: halifaxcourier.co.uk