'Moron' dangling boulder endangered rail commuters' lives

YOBS thought to have thrown rocks and suspended a boulder from a railway station bridge, narrowly missing a commuter train, have been slammed by a train drivers’ union official.

The culprit was branded a “moron” following the incident at Hinton Admiral station near Highcliffe, by Graham Morris, the ASLEF union’s full-time organiser for drivers on South Western Railway.

He said their reckless actions could have killed or seriously injured passengers and staff.

“Idiots engaging in acts such as this have no idea of the consequences of their behaviour, risking serious injury, and potential loss of life, to train drivers and passengers,” he said.

“People have a right to travel by train without living in fear that someone is going to try to cause them injury.

"And train drivers have a right to do their job – which is difficult enough as it is – without worrying that some moron is going to suspend a boulder from a bridge or throw rocks at the train.”

The rocks and the suspended boulder were said to have narrowly missed hitting the commuter train as it passed under the crossing last Thursday.

Its driver reportedly cut down the boulder before it was handed over to British Transport Police (BTP), who are investigating the incident.

People are being urged to come forward if they know anything about the offenders responsible or if they may have witnessed any suspicious activity.

A BTP spokesperson said: “Officers were called to Hinton Admiral station at 5.37pm [last Thursday] following reports of youths throwing rocks from a bridge.

“BTP quickly attended but the youths had left the scene. Enquiries are ongoing.”

Delays on the line ensued as a number of trains had to pass through the station at reduced speeds while the incident was being dealt with.

A spokesperson for South Western Railway said: “We’re very sorry to customers for delays caused by this reckless and dangerous incident.

“There was some disruption as trains proceeded with caution near Hinton Admiral station.”

Anyone with information about the incident should contact BTP by texting 61016 or calling 0800 405 040, quoting crime reference number 387 of 28/02/19.