Commuters, including a cancer patient who needed medical attention, were left stranded for three hours after a train hit a tree that had fallen on the line in south London.
The incident happened at West Wickham at around 5.30pm on Wednesday with engineers and the London Fire Brigade both sent to the scene.
Footage shows two trains were brought to a standstill after part of the tree became wedged in a wheel, while other trains were cancelled, delayed or revised.
A Southeastern Railway spokesperson told the Standard passengers on one train remained trapped for around three hours while the London Fire Brigade cut up the branch and engineers assessed the damage.
An ambulance was sent to the scene to provide mediation after a cancer patient became unwell, the spokesperson added.
One stranded customer complained on social media: “Can we please just get off and walk? How do you know the power will return to the line after the tree is removed?”
Southeastern Railway said in a statement: “Around 5.30pm this evening, a tree which was blocking the line between West Wickham and Hayes became wedged in the under carriage of one of our services.
“The fire service attended promptly in order to cut the branch and remove it safely but while this was taking place it was necessary to turn off the electrical current on the track. No one was hurt and the line reopened around 8.30pm.
“Customers who were impacted are encouraged to claim Delay Repay compensation.”
