A NORTHERN Rail train was derailed and a CrossCountry Voyager delayed by two hours after both struck an empty 4X4 vehicle which had run away, smashed through a fence and rolled onto the West Coast route at North Rode, Congleton, Cheshire.

Two bogies of the leading coach of the three-car 17.10 Northern emu train from Deansgate to Stoke-on-Trent were derailed after it smashed into the car at about 18.00 hours on Thursday 18 December.

The car, which was left a smashed wreck, was deflected the car into the path of the approaching 15.00 Bristol Temple Meads to Manchester Piccadilly CrossCountry service.

Seeing the car on the line, the Cross Country train driver was able to brake hard, and the train suffered only a minor collision in which no injuries or damage was sustained. It was able to continue its journey, delayed by two hours.

Passengers on board the Northern service suffered minor injuries and were treated at the scene before continuing their journeys by bus and taxis.

Track and a signal were badly damaged, closing the line between Stoke-on-Trent and Stockport.

The incident is being investigated by Network Rail and British Transport Police.

Until repairs are completed at midday on 20 December, CrossCountry and Virgin Trains services are being diverted via Crewe, extending journey times by up to 40 minutes, and buses are replacing Northern Rail services between Macclesfield and Stoke-on-Trent.

Also, a bus service is running between Macclesfield and Wilmslow, and CrossCountry passengers are able to travel with Arriva Trains Wales between Crewe and Newport, and with Virgin Trains and London Midland on any reasonable route.

* On 28 February 2001, 10 people died as a result of an accident in which a runaway car and trailer landed up on the East Coast main line at Great Heck, near Selby, North Yorkshire, derailing a GNER train travelling at 117 mph, which was then in collision with a northbound freight train.  The driver of the car was convicted at Leeds Crown Court of 10 counts of death by dangerous driving and was jailed for five years. 

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