A potentially catastrophic rail disaster was miraculously averted when an express train derailed while travelling at nearly 80mph through the Cambridgeshire countryside, with the heroic driver being praised for his exceptional skill in preventing serious injuries.
The dramatic incident occurred on Wednesday afternoon when the 12-carriage Greater Anglia service suddenly left the tracks near the village of Meldreth. Eyewitnesses described hearing a "loud bang" and seeing carriages tilting dangerously as the train continued along the embankment.
The Moment of Crisis
According to rail officials, the driver's quick thinking and expert handling of the emergency situation prevented what could have been a major tragedy. Despite multiple carriages derailing, the driver managed to bring the massive train to a controlled stop without any carriages overturning.
"The driver's actions were nothing short of heroic," said a Network Rail spokesperson. "To maintain control of a derailed train at that speed and bring it to a safe stop requires incredible skill and presence of mind."
Passenger Accounts of the Terrifying Ordeal
Passengers aboard the service reported moments of sheer terror as the train suddenly jolted and began shaking violently. One commuter described the scene as "like something from a disaster movie" but praised the calm response of both the driver and train staff.
"We felt this enormous bang and then everything started shaking," said Sarah Jenkins, who was travelling to London. "The carriage was tilting at what felt like an impossible angle. We all thought this was it - we were going to roll down the embankment."
Emergency Response and Investigation
Emergency services rushed to the scene within minutes, with paramedics, fire crews, and police establishing a major incident response. Remarkably, only two people required hospital treatment for minor injuries, with most passengers escaping unharmed.
Rail accident investigators have launched a full inquiry into the cause of the derailment, with initial speculation focusing on potential track defects. The line between Cambridge and London remains closed while detailed examinations take place.
The incident has raised serious questions about rail infrastructure maintenance, with transport unions calling for immediate safety reviews across the network. Meanwhile, the heroic driver has been offered counselling and support following the traumatic event.
