Mindless acts put rail passengers' lives on the line

May 21 2008 By Alexandra Johnson, Wishaw Press

MINDLESS thugs have been causing havoc on railway lines in Wishaw — by throwing dangerous objects onto them.

And trains travelling at speeds of up to 75mph have been damaged after yobs in the Dimsdale Road area threw objects on to the tracks.

In the past few weeks, two separate incidents have occurred where objects have been suspended from overhead lines; an action which could have resulted in devastating consequences for rail passengers.

On Monday, May 5, a train service had to be suspended after a piece of cable was thrown from the overhead bridge at Dimsdale Road. The incident happened around 10.30am.

The Milngavie to Lanark service was damaged after hitting the cable and had to be taken out of service.

In a further incident at 7.15pm on Tuesday, May 13, a train travelling around 75mph struck an object that had been suspended from overhead lines, again in the Dimsdale Road area.

No-one was injured on this occasion.

Three youths were seen running from the scene and anyone with any information regarding their identity is urged to step forward.

Last week a train driver was injured in Blantyre after vandals dangled a heavy metal object which crashed through the windscreen of a 60mph train.

Now Wishaw Police have called on the community to be aware of the dangers of messing with the railways.

Area Inspector Kenny Graham at Wishaw Police said: “Mindless acts such as this could have caused far-reaching consequences.

“Fortunately, on this occasion, the driver and passengers were not injured, unlike a similar situation in the Blantyre area where the train driver suffered facial injuries due to the windscreen being smashed.

“It is always dangerous to interfere with any of the railway workings.

“I would urge people to stay away from railway lines, not only for obvious dangers to themselves, but to passengers and staff of First Scot Rail.

“Dangling a piece of cable may seem like harmless fun but it could have had far worse consequences.”

Detective Inspector Harrington of British Transport police urged anyone with any information on the incidents to get in touch with the force.

He continued: “I am concerned at the sheer disregard shown by those responsible and would ask anyone with information about any of these incidents to contact British Transport Police on 08000 405040 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.”

Following the incident last Wednesday evening in Blantyre, train operator First Scot Rail has taken the unusual step of putting up a £1000 reward to help catch the vandals who injured the train driver.

The 37-year-old driver was showered in flying glass, suffering injuries to his face and forehead.

He managed to bring the passenger train to a halt near Blantyre and radio his control room for assistance.

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