A ‘trespasser’ who fell from a road bridge has led to a busy rush-hour service into Manchester being cancelled this morning.
Trains between Liverpool and Manchester have been delayed by almost an hour after a person was reported to have been hit by a train near Birchwood, near Warrington.
However, the British Transport Police later confirmed that a man had suffered serious leg injuries after falling from a bridge.
Just to confirm, there has not been a body on the line at #birchwood. A man fell from a road bridge and injured his legs (1/2)
— BTP Media North West (@BTPmediaNW) June 20, 2014
A spokesman for British Transport Police said: “We were called shortly before 7.10am on Friday June 20 to reports of a body on the line near to Birchwood rail station, near Warrington.
“Our officers attended, alongside colleagues from North West Ambulance Service, and discovered a 39-year-old local man had fallen from a nearby road bridge and sustained serious injuries to his legs.
“The man, who was assessed at the scene, has been taken to Wythenshawe Hospital for further treatment.
“The incident is not currently being treated as suspicious.”
Network Rail, First Transpenine Express and Northern Rail all reported delays to services into Manchester. Numerous trains were cancelled.
#MachesterOxfordRoad #LiverpoolLimeStreet: Owing to a trespass incident at #Birchwood all lines are blocked.
— Northern Rail (@northernrailorg) June 20, 2014
INFO: Due to a person hit by a train near Birchwood, services in this area are subject to delay and cancellation
— TransPennine Express (@TPExpressTrains) June 20, 2014
Owing to a trespass incident, the 06:47 #ManchesterPiccadilly to #WarringtonCentral due 07:16 has been delayed by 53 minutes.
— Northern Rail (@northernrailorg) June 20, 2014
Northern Rail said: “The injured person at Birchwood is now in the care of the ambulance service. All lines are now open.”
Lines are now back open following delays of around 53 minutes, though residual delays are still expected as services return to normal.
#Birchwood Following a trespass incident, lines are now open. Residual delays will occur as services recover. @nationalrailenq
— Network Rail (@networkrail) June 20, 2014
Image courtesy of Google Maps, with thanks.
