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Car smashes through barrier and teeters on the edge of tube tracks
after driver 'suffered medical episode': TfL suspends services on
London Underground line as police and fire crews rush to the scene |
Daily Mail Online
(HTM) Source
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Commuters are facing rush hour chaos this evening after a car smashed
though a barrier onto an embankment - where it sits teetering on the
edge of tube tracks.
British Transport Police believe the driver 'suffered a medical
episode' at the wheel and they have been treated by paramedics.
Police and fire crews rushed to the scene of the smash in Southfields,
south-west London, where services have been suspended on the
underground's District Line.
Only one person, a woman, was involved in the crash and is not
believed to have suffered any serious injuries.
Dramatic pictures show how firefighters sliced through the fence and
crews winched the white Toyota Prius away from the track.
A white Toyota has smashed through a barrier near tube tracks in
south-west London
Police and fire crews have rushed to the scene while the District Line
between Earl's Court and Wimbledon has been suspended
The District Line between Earl's Court and Wimbledon was suspended in
both directions as a result
The car - a white Toyota Prius, managed to miss a tree and a lampost
before it went through the fence
Members of the London Fire Brigade have cut the fence to lift the car
away from the tracks
TfL suspended trains between Earl's Court and Wimbledon and are
attempting to restore services soon.
The news came as thousands of commuters tried to head home while
dealing with separate travel chaos caused by National Rail strikes
taking place today.
A spokesman for the British Transport Police said: 'Officers were
called to the line near Southfields underground station at around
2.55pm today (8 May) following reports that a car had gone through the
fences alongside the railway line.
'Officers attended, alongside colleagues from the London Fire Brigade,
Network Rail, and the Metropolitan Police Service and work is ongoing
to clear any obstructions from the tracks.
'It is believed the driver of the vehicle suffered a medical episode
and they have been treated by paramedics.'
On-site police officers confirmed to MailOnline that only one driver
was involved and they are not injured
London Fire Brigade confirmed they were called at 3pm to respond to
the incident near Scott Avenue in Putney
A spokesman for TfL told MailOnline: 'We are suspended between Earl's
Court and Wimbledon at the moment because of this incident.'
London Fire Brigade confirmed they were called at 3pm to respond to
the incident near Scott Avenue in Putney.
'The London Fire Brigade and our own teams are on site to clear the
station and remove the car, we'll be hopefully restoring service
soon.'
A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: 'Firefighters are responding
to a road traffic collision near Scott Avenue in Putney.
Firefighters from two fire engines used a winch to remove the hybrid
electric car from the track
The front left tyre was punctured and the bonnet was crumpled
Once firefighters removed the car, the police were able to park it at
the side of the road
Emergency workers then taped off the area and temporarily fixed the
fence
It took around two hours to retrieve the car so the tube line could be
opened again
'Crews are working to make the scene safe, alongside officers from the
Metropolitan Police Service. A nearby rail line has been closed as a
precaution whilst firefighters respond.
'The Brigade was called about the incident at 3.04pm. One fire engine
from Wandsworth Fire Station and a fire rescue unit from Battersea
Fire Station are currently at the scene.'
District Line commuters have taken to X, formerly Twitter, to voice
their frustration at the disruption.
One user said: 'Another day, another interrupted District Line
commute.'
Another commented: 'I'm so glad I left the office and got home before
the district line decided to act up because what do you mean there's a
car on the track?'
A London Ambulance Service spokesperson said: 'We were called today
(Wednesday) at 2.48pm to reports of an incident by Southfields Tube
station, SW18.
'We sent an ambulance crew and treated a woman at the scene, but
nobody was taken to hospital.'
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