A trespasser who caused nearly 1,000 train cancellations and delays at London Waterloo, costing the taxpayer £1.2 million, has been sentenced to 18 months in prison.
Incident Details
On 19 August 2024, Ryan Seymour, 41, was spotted trespassing on the South West Main Line at New Malden, south-west London. The railway line is a major connection between Waterloo and destinations in Surrey, Hampshire, Dorset, and Wiltshire.
During a police pursuit, Seymour ran across four live tracks, forcing a train driver to make an emergency stop at 75mph. Network Rail had to shut off the power to prevent electrocution, leaving four trains stranded outside stations and sparking widespread disruption across the South Western Railway (SWR) network.
With trains and crews out of position, services remained severely delayed for the rest of the day, with additional disruptions continuing into the next morning.
Impact of the Disruption
- 921 train services affected
- 358 trains cancelled
- 81 services partially cancelled
- 13,178 minutes of delays (equivalent to nine days)
- Waterloo overcrowding measures enforced
- Total cost: £1.2 million
Arrest and Court Ruling
Seymour evaded arrest for several days but was eventually identified and taken into custody by the Metropolitan Police.
On 4 February 2025, at Kingston Crown Court, he pleaded guilty to:
- Recklessly causing a public nuisance
- Dangerous driving
- Driving without a valid licence or insurance
Seymour was sentenced to eight months for railway trespass and 10 months for dangerous driving, to run consecutively, totaling 18 months in prison.
Official Statements
Tom Desmond, Network Rail Operations Director:
“This prosecution demonstrates that there are severe consequences for those who trespass on the railway. This individual was extremely lucky to escape unharmed.”
Dan O’Riordan, Head of Security for SWR:
“Trespassing anywhere on the railway is extremely dangerous. We hope this sentence serves as a warning to others.”
Detective Sergeant Tim Deans, Metropolitan Police:
“Seymour caused widespread disruption across south-west London and beyond. His reckless actions resulted in misery for thousands of commuters, and we will always take action against those who engage in such criminal behavior.”
Rail Safety Warning
Railway officials are reminding the public that trespassing on tracks is not only illegal but life-threatening. The third rail carries enough voltage to kill instantly, and trains travel at speeds of nearly 100mph in the affected area.
Authorities are urging people to report any suspicious behavior near railway lines immediately to prevent further incidents.
