Hundreds of people stranded as a Tube Train Derailed

Rush Hour came to a stand still in London this morning, when hundreds of passengers were stranded after a Tube train derailed.

Up to six carriages were derailed on the westbound Central Line between Mile End and Bethnal Green stations. Transport form London said that 700 people were taken off the derailed train and another behind it by about 11.00 am – two whole hours after the accident.

TfL reported about 20 people had received medical treatment with 5 people taken to hospital for minor injuries.

A tube passenger, Chris Christofi, said panic had broken out among passengers who had thought a bomb had exploded. He recalls his ordeal,

“We felt a massive jolt underneath the train which caused the train to move up and down and sideways. There were some windows that seemed to blow in and explode and there was some soot that came into the carriage.
“There was a lot of people crying and upset, a lot of people falling over. We thought there’d been a bomb.”

Luckily, a TfL employee was in the carriage and informed passengers that it felt like a derailment. The driver was also quick to inform the passengers what happened.

Transport for London are looking into the accident, with reports that there was an obstruction on the track being further investigated.

Central Line services are suspended between Leytonstone and Liverpool Street, and there are severe delays on the rest of the line.

Mile End and Bethnal Green stations are closed, and Bow Road outside Mile End station is closed westbound.