Commuters in Sydney are facing major delays on Wednesday morning after a high-voltage wire fell on a train at Strathfield on Tuesday afternoon, trapping 300 passengers and causing widespread disruption across the rail network. The incident occurred at 2.30pm, leading to power being switched off and multiple trains stranded for safety reasons.
Howard Collins, coordinator general for Transport for NSW, described the situation as life-threatening, warning that contact with the wires could be fatal. Emergency teams worked to safely evacuate passengers from the affected train and three others that had been stopped. The NSW transport minister, John Graham, apologised for the disruption and confirmed that all passengers had been removed from the stranded trains.
The incident has caused significant delays on the T1, T2, T3, T5, T8 and T9 lines, with shuttle buses replacing services on several routes. Passengers were advised to delay non-essential travel or use alternative transport. The T4, T6 and South Coast lines, as well as the Metro, Light Rail and buses, were not affected.
Chaotic scenes unfolded at Central station as thousands of commuters struggled to find information about cancellations. Some passengers reported being stuck with luggage while trying to reach the airport, and others expressed frustration at the lack of alternative routes, particularly for those in south-west Sydney. Transport officials were seen using Google Maps to help passengers find routes home.
Sydney Trains is investigating the cause of the incident. Minister Graham urged commuters to check for updates before travelling on Wednesday morning, warning of potential knock-on effects as recovery work continues.
