Vandals derail train

(First Edition)

VANDALS partly derailed an empty passenger train yesterday by placing drain covers and concrete on the track.

The train was travelling from Manchester to Clitheroe when it struck the obstructions where the railway crosses St Peter's Way in the centre of Bolton, Greater Manchester. The front wheels of the leading carriage were derailed.

'Fortunately, at that point the train was traversing quite a heavy curve and was only travelling slowly,' said a spokesman for Regional Railways North West. 'There were no passengers and the train crew were uninjured.'

He said a similar incident last year led to vandals being convicted of attempted murder, and police would prosecute yesterday's case using the full force of the law.

Anyone with information is asked to ring Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.