Train chaos in hunt for gunman
Trains between the West Midlands and London were cancelled, halted mid-journey or arrived more than two hours late as police hunted a gunman.
Trains between the West Midlands and London were cancelled, halted mid-journey or arrived more than two hours late as police hunted a gunman.
The West Coast mainline was closed for almost five hours at Rugby as armed officers, a police helicopter and dogs scoured an industrial estate near the town's station. This was after a lorry driver escaped unhurt, when his truck was fired at and damaged.
Many passengers were stranded as 23 Virgin trains were each delayed by more than an hour, nine journeys were scrapped and others shortened. Other train companies using the line were similarly disrupted.
The 6.40pm Euston to Wolverhampton train, due to arrive at 8.36pm, was one of the worst-hit terminating at Birmingham just before midnight – 3hr 23min late.
The 7.05pm Wolverhampton to Euston terminated at Coventry, the 7.40pm Euston-Wolverhampton was cancelled and the 10.39pm Wolverhampton to Euston started at Birmingham.
The 7.10pm Euston to Wolverhampton arrived 3hr 8min late and the 9.40pm arrived at 2.30am.
Trains started running through Rugby again at 11pm. The gun used to attack the lorry fired heavy-duty ball-bearings, police said. No-one was arrested.