Two Men Arrested After Railway Attack

Two men have been arrested for pushing a businesswoman onto a live railway track, police have said.

Linda Buchanan, 58, was attacked at Farningham Road station last Wednesday during morning rush hour after admonishing two men for smoking.

Ms Buchanan suffered a broken wrist and heavy bruising after the scuffle on train platform in Kent.

The victim was pulled back onto the platform by other commuters shortly before another train pulled in.

Southeastern train services between Kent and London were disrupted after the incident because the live rail – which was carrying 750 volts of electricity - had to be turned off.

British Transport Police (BTP) said that a 30-year-old was arrested at an address in Dartford on Monday night and an 18-year-old man from Dartford was arrested last night.

The 30-year-old has been interviewed and bailed to September 10. The teenager is currently being interviewed by police.

Leading the investigation, Chief Supt Steve Morgan said: "While this was an abhorrent incident, this type of offence on the rail network is extremely rare.

"Officers in this case have spent many days trawling through CCTV from stations in Farningham Road and Victoria and have taken numerous witness statements from members of the public."

Ch Supt Morgan added that he wished to thank the members of the public who provided "invaluable information".

Police had initially said that CCTV images of the incident were "indistinct" and showed only the backs of heads.

Ms Buchanan told the BBC last week that she "felt lucky to be alive".

(DS)