Rail line shut after train hits mini digger near Craven Arms

Almost 50 people had to be evacuated from a train when a fire broke out on board after it hit a mini digger.

Emergency services were called to the train near Craven Arms railway station in Shropshire at about 22:30 BST on Sunday.

British Transport Police said it had launched a major investigation following the incident.

The line remains closed on Monday, causing disruption to services between Shrewsbury and Hereford.

The force believes the train travelling at about 60mph hit a mini digger on the tracks, which caused fuel to leak from the train and start the fire.

A second mini digger was found on the embankment, police have said, and detectives believe these were stolen from a nearby rental yard and discarded.

Transport for Wales (TfW) said all 49 passengers were safely evacuated and no injuries were reported among their train crew

One passenger suffered a minor ankle injury, British Transport Police said.

Passengers have been urged to plan ahead, as TfW services remain blocked between Shrewsbury and Newport, with disruption expected until the end of the day.

The operator said there was a limited number of replacement buses and advised passengers to use alternative rail services between Cardiff and Shrewsbury via Birmingham New Street.

Joshua Clarke tweeted he was on board the train and the bus driver "apparently got lost" coming to pick passengers up.

He added it took almost seven hours after the crash to reach his home in Hereford.

TfW said it organised replacement transport and apologised for the inconvenience.

Det Ch Insp Sam Blackburn, said: "We are confident this fire was a result of the attempted theft of two mini diggers which then ended up on the tracks."

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