Hundreds of Sydney commuters faced severe disruption on Tuesday after a high-voltage wire fell on a train at Strathfield, trapping 300 passengers and causing significant delays across multiple rail lines. The incident occurred at 2.30pm, leading to power being switched off and leaving several trains stranded.
Howard Collins, coordinator general for Transport for NSW, described the situation as life-threatening, warning that contact with the wires could be fatal. Safety teams worked to evacuate passengers from the entangled train and three others that had been stopped. Transport Minister John Graham apologised to affected passengers, noting that the train was at a critical junction in the network.
Passengers on the T1, T2, T3, T5, T8 and T9 lines were advised to delay non-essential travel or use alternative transport. Shuttle buses replaced services on several lines, while the T4, T6 and South Coast Lines remained unaffected. Sydney Trains is investigating the cause of the incident.
Chaotic scenes unfolded at Central Station as thousands of commuters struggled to find working services. Many were left frustrated, with limited information available. Some passengers reported having to rely on alternative routes or rideshare services to get home. Officials warned of potential knock-on effects into Wednesday morning, urging commuters to check the latest information before travelling.
