Salisbury train crash: Several injured after two trains collide in tunnel


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Two trains have collided outside a small city in the UK, injuring a number of people in a crash police called a major incident.

The trains collided at Fisherton Tunnel in the southwestern English city of Salisbury on Sunday. Some of the injured, including the driver, have been taken to the hospital, police said.

"A number of people have been injured, but thankfully no one has died," British transport police said.

Fire engines and ambulances were at the scene near Salisbury station. The Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service said it has helped transfer about 100 people.

A spokesman for Network Rail, a track operator, told the BBC that the rear carriage of one train derailed after striking an object on its approach to Salisbury station and the incident disabled all signalling in the area. The second train then collided with the first one.

The collision involved a South Western Railway and a Great Western service, according to the BBC report.

  • Police officers inspect the scene of the crash near Salisbury. Reuters
    Police officers inspect the scene of the crash near Salisbury. Reuters
  • Some of the injured, including the driver, have been taken to the hospital, police said. Reuters
    Some of the injured, including the driver, have been taken to the hospital, police said. Reuters
  • Rear carriage of one train had derailed after striking an object on its approach to Salisbury station. Reuters
    Rear carriage of one train had derailed after striking an object on its approach to Salisbury station. Reuters
  • Mullah Hoque, British Transport Police inspector, at the scene of the train crash. Reuters
    Mullah Hoque, British Transport Police inspector, at the scene of the train crash. Reuters
  • Andy Cole, from Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue, at the scene of the crash. AP
    Andy Cole, from Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue, at the scene of the crash. AP
  • The Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service said it had helped transfer about 100 passengers. AP
    The Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service said it had helped transfer about 100 passengers. AP

Great Western Railway said the crash involved a train travelling between Portsmouth and Bristol and another travelling from London's Waterloo Station to Honiton. The operator said it would co-operate with the police in their investigation.

South Western Railway said in a post on Twitter that train service disruptions were expected to last until November 2.

"Officers are continuing to respond to the incident alongside our emergency service colleagues and the line is expected to be shut for some time," police said.

Updated: November 01, 2021, 5:36 AM