Train chaos at Canterbury West after near miss sparks emergency scramble
Person on tracks halts services
Train services ground to a halt last night at Canterbury West railway station after reports of a person spotted on the tracks sparked panic. British Transport Police and paramedics raced to the scene shortly after 7pm on Thursday, fearing someone had been struck by a train.
Services suspended, delays hit commuters
Southeastern immediately suspended all trains between Canterbury West and Ramsgate, leaving evening travellers stranded and facing lengthy delays. The station was searched thoroughly by transport police, who later confirmed it was a “near miss” with no injuries reported.
“Officers were called to the line near Canterbury West railway station shortly after 7pm yesterday following reports of a possible casualty on the tracks. Officers conducted a full area search and thankfully confirmed this to be a near miss.” – British Transport Police spokesperson
Services resume after emergency response
Trains gradually restarted later in the evening, though disruption persisted with cancellations and delays affecting many journeys. Southeastern apologised to passengers and praised emergency teams for their swift response.
What caused the incident?
The exact circumstances remain unclear. No formal investigation has been announced at this stage, leaving questions over what sparked the scare on the tracks.
