A major rail incident caused significant disruption for passengers travelling through Cumbria on Tuesday evening when an Avanti West Coast service experienced a complete breakdown near Penrith.
The stranded train, carrying numerous passengers between Glasgow Central and London Euston, came to an unexpected halt at approximately 7:20 pm, leaving travellers stuck for over three hours in challenging conditions.
Emergency Response Activated
The situation became particularly concerning when railway staff identified several vulnerable passengers requiring immediate medical attention. Northwest Ambulance Service was promptly alerted and dispatched paramedics to the scene.
"We were called at 7.20pm to reports of a train failure between Penrith and Carlisle," confirmed a spokesperson for the ambulance service. "We sent two ambulances and a paramedic officer to assess passengers."
Passenger Ordeal and Rescue Operation
Passengers reported growing discomfort and anxiety as the hours passed without movement or adequate information. The breakdown occurred during evening hours, adding to the distress of those aboard.
Eventually, a rescue mission was launched with a replacement train dispatched to transport stranded travellers to their destinations. The complex operation required careful coordination between rail staff and emergency services.
Service Disruption and Apology
The incident caused significant knock-on effects across the network, with subsequent services experiencing delays and cancellations throughout the evening.
An Avanti West Coast spokesperson addressed the situation: "We're sorry to customers who've been delayed. We're working to get everyone moving as quickly as possible."
The railway company acknowledged the inconvenience caused and stated they were conducting a full investigation into the mechanical failure that led to the extensive disruption.
