Five hurt as steam train derails after collision
A HOLIDAY steam train carrying about 50 passengers derailed after crashing into a tractor on an unmanned level crossing yesterday.
Several people were injured when the miniature locomotive collided with the stationary vehicle on the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway.
One witness said she saw the driver “leap from the train” and take passengers to safety after one of the carriages collapsed onto its side.
Paramedics treated five people – including the driver – at the scene for minor injuries as fire crews worked to secure the locomotive’s boiler, which was feared to be at risk of exploding.
The engine and the first carriage were derailed in the incident on the south Kent coast at about 2.30pm.
“I could hear the whistle going and that is quite unusual so I walked into my garden to see what was going on,” said Sandra Leverick.
“There is an unmanned crossing which I have seen the tractor using regularly, but the tractor wasn’t moving and the train was coming.
“They carried on blowing the whistle and then suddenly the front engine part of the train was off the tracks.
“The driver was amazing – I know they are all volunteers.
“He leapt about four to five feet out of the train and was helping people from the first carriage, which was leaning onto the ground.”
An estimated 150,000 tourists use the railway each year. In winter it provides school transport for children travelling between Hythe and New Romney.
The narrow gauge service opened in 1927 as “the world’s smallest public railway”. It runs 13 miles along the coast and trains have a maximum speed of about 20mph.
A spokesman for Kent Fire and Rescue Service said: “Crews set about making the scene safe, including securing the locomotive’s boiler, which was thought to be at risk of exploding.”