Emergency services have swarmed an area surrounding a railway line after a train derailed. Police and firefighters are currently in attendance in Sidmouth Street, Audenshaw, Tameside, close to the railway tracks.
They arrived on the scene before midday today (September 6). Police and firefighters are at the scene, off Sidmouth Street. Network Rail say the freight train ‘came off the tracks’ at low speed, with nobody injured.
One eyewitness told the Manchester Evening News there is a ‘massive emergency response in Audenshaw’. Neighbours reported their houses ‘shaking’ and a ‘scraping noise’.
The eyewitness said: “I was on a work call and heard an enormous scraping as the whole house began to shake. Spoke with neighbours closer to the line who noted pictures falling from the walls – everyone thought we were having an earthquake.”
In a statement, Network Rail said: ““At around 11:30 today we received a report that a freight train had come off the tracks at low speed near Denton.
“The train was carrying aggregates and was headed for Manchester Hope Street. There were no injuries and the driver is safe.
“This is a freight only line and the area will remain blocked until the train can be moved. Freight trains that are scheduled to be using this route will be diverted. As a precaution, Sidmouth Street is closed for safety reasons.”
A British Transport Police spokesperson said: “British Transport Police were called to the line near in Audenshaw just after 11.40am today (September 6) following reports of a freight train derailment. Thankfully no one was injured.
“Officers remain at the scene and the line remains closed while the scene is being cleared and investigated. Enquiries are ongoing.”
Updates will be posted in this blog as soon as they are available.
