13/08/2010

'Driverless' Train On Tube

A Tube train ran through six stops on the Northern Line in London this morning without a driver, it has been confirmed.

It is understood that the engineering train, which was carrying out maintenance work, became upcoupled near Archway station, and ran for nearly four miles on its 13-minute journey before it stopped at Warren Street.

Passenger services were diverted to another branch of the Northern Line while the 'runaway' train travelled towards Charing Cross.

The incident, which is now being investigated by London Underground and the Rail Accident Investigation Branch, happened around 6.45am on Friday morning.

Richard Parry, London Underground Director, said: "Safety is our top priority and we have, of course, launched an immediate and thorough investigation into this incident to establish the cause."

However, Pat Sikorski, Assistant General Secretary of the Rail, Maritime and Transport Union, said they were "appalled and horrified" by the incident, which "represents a safety failure of the highest order". He said: "We understand that a collision with a passenger service train leaving Archway was only narrowly avoided."

(KMcA/BMcC)

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