'Object in tunnel' blamed for Salisbury collision

Some of the details in this report have since changed, and this version is only being retained for archive purposes.

A total of 13 people have been taken to hospital after two passenger trains collided in Fisherton Tunnel on the up side of Salisbury station last night. 

Network Rail said the 17.08 GWR service from Portsmouth Harbour to Bristol Meads was approaching the station at 18.46 when the last vehicle was derailed by an 'object' in the tunnel. This derailment damaged signalling equipment, and the 17.20 SWR service from London Waterloo to Honiton then collided with the stationary Bristol train. The driver of one train, thought to be the driver of the Honiton service, was trapped in the cab and had to be treated by paramedics.

Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue service has described the crash as a 'major incident', and some 50 firefighters were called, along with ambulances and other emergency services. RAIB inspectors are also at the scene.

South Western Railway said services in the area had been disrupted by the accident, and asked passengers not to travel today, because its trains between Exeter and Basingstoke and GWR trains between Westbury and Portsmouth are affected. A special train service is running every two hours between Exeter St David's and Gillingham, and replacement buses are also being used.

Bad weather repairs completed

Meanwhile, train services on the West Coast and East Coast Main Lines are returning to normal after bad weather over the weekend. Network Rail safety and engineering director Martin Frobisher said: 'Passengers had a rough day yesterday for which we are truly sorry. Our engineering teams have battled through the night to repair the storm damage, all of which has been successfully completed and services have resumed this morning out of London Euston and London King’s Cross. There will be some residual delays and cancellations today, particularly out of Euston, and passengers should check their journey plans with their operators' websites for more details.'