Train passengers trapped for two hours after Stafford power line damage
Passengers were trapped on a train in Stafford for two hours today after a damaged power line stopped the service just short of the station.
The Liverpool to Euston service was disrupted at about 3pm today just before Stafford's railway station, a spokesman for West Midlands Trains said.
Passengers started to be helped off the train at about 4.45pm but were still being taken off an hour later, an eyewitness said.
A nearby resident, who did not wish to be named, said he heard two "loud bangs and huge flashes" just before 3pm.
He said: "As it was going under the power lines there were two huge flashes and we heard a couple of bangs and then the train came to a stop.
"Now they're walking the passengers up the track. There's a small depot where there are coaches waiting.
"There are eight carriages, so a lot of people coming off."
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The West Midlands Trains spokesman said: "We wanted to evacuate these people in the safest and most timely way we could.
"All of these passengers and anyone who has been delayed by 15 minutes or longer will be entitled to compensation.
"Once everyone is evicted then we'll start to repair the power lines."
The power line was damaged after a day of disruption on the rail and road networks due to Storm Dennis and the subsequent flooding.
Many services were cancelled or delayed, while some stops had to be missed due to water on the line.
