Passengers in tears after runaway cows hit by Manchester bound train near Oxford

By Dean Wilkins

Escaped cows were struck by a passenger train with around 200 people on board to Manchester yesterday.

The runaway herd found their way onto the tracks of the 2.45pm Crosscountry Trains service between Bournemouth and Manchester and were hit near Tackley, north of Oxford.

The trains are now running again after several delays last night. No passengers were injured but several were in tears at the sight of the 12 injured animals.

A Crosscountry spokesman said: "[The train] was involved in an incident with farm animals that had strayed onto the line.”

The train was taken to Banbury where passengers were taken off.

Drew Benvie, UK managing director of the Hotwire Group of PR companies, tweeted from on board the carriage: "Our virgin train just outside Oxford has hit a herd of animals at hi speed and we think a vehicle. People in tears. train is on the tracks."

He added: "Everyone incl driver is ok. People saw a vehicle and a lot of blood... We're being assured it was a herd of cattle. Felt like we'd derailed."

For more on this story and many others, follow Mancunian Matters on Twitter and Facebook.