HomeHSEQHST train cab struck by tree in Plymouth

HST train cab struck by tree in Plymouth

Mark Hopwood, Great Western Railway’s managing director, took to LinkedIn to deliver a cautionary new year message after the cab of one of the operator’s HSTs was struck by a tree.

On New Year’s Eve, the 18:57 Paddington to Plymouth service was forced to stop outside of Plymouth after a tree fell and seriously damaged the train’s cab.

Photo: Network Rail.
Photo: Network Rail.

Thankfully, the driver, although shaken, was left unhurt and there were no passenger injuries but it serves as a reminder of the risks – sometimes unusual – that front line staff face.

The HST was eventually hauled to safety, arriving at Plymouth almost two and a half hours late. Unfortunately, it was a memorable New Year’s Eve for all the wrong reasons for the passengers onboard, but the outcome could have been a lot worse.


Read more: New Year’s Honours for railway heroes


 

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