Rail passengers in overheating ordeal

Friday June 24, 2005

Rail services on the East Coast Mainline have returned to normal after hundreds of passengers were trapped in overheated carriages for hours after a power failure.
Many endured great distress and were forced to break windows to escape as dozens fainted in the heat.

Yesterday, the 3.55pm GNER train from Newcastle to Kings Cross ground to a halt just outside Peterborough at 5.25pm due an overhead power failure.

Kevin Groves, spokesman for Network Rail, said the power failure meant no trains had been able to leave Kings Cross on the main route north since 5pm yesterday.

He said: "We have engineers working to fix the problem and they will work throughout the night in a bid to have trains running again by 6am."

A Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue spokesman said eight passengers had been taken to hospital suffering from heat-related injuries.

Passengers were advised to check with National Rail on 0845 748 4950 before travelling today.

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