Commuters led to safety after smoke scare delays Southeastern train during rush-hour
Hundreds of passengers forced to escape from train after fire scare
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Passengers on a rush-hour train have been led to safety after smoke was reported underneath the rear four carriages.
Travellers on the 7.17am London-bound Southeastern service from Gravesend in Kent pulled the emergency alarm and the train stopped halfway into the platform of Hither Green station just before 8am today.
With the track power switched off, passengers in the front four coaches were able to evacuate through the station, while those in the rear four coaches evacuated onto the track where they were met by staff and escorted through the nearby depot.
There were no reports of any injuries.
The train was taken out of service and the cause for the fault was being fully investigated. Southeastern said early indications show the train's shoe gear (the component of the train which draws power from the track) overheated and billowed with smoke.
Apologising to passengers, a spokesman for Southeastern said: "This was an understandably distressing event for the passengers on board the train this morning. Thankfully we've had no reports of any passengers injured.
"We're fully investigating the cause of the problem to make sure this doesn't happen again."
Buses replaced services between Dartford and London Bridge via Sidcup, and services were diverted via Bexleyheath. The lines were re-opened at 10am with some knock-on delays.
Services returned to normal by 11.45am.
PA
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments