Vandals try to derail train

Vandals tried to derail a passenger train 24 hours after the Potters Bar disaster by putting football goalposts across the track, it emerged today.

The Paddington-bound Thames Trains service ploughed into the metal posts as it picked up speed after leaving Oxford station.

Amazingly the train, which was travelling at between 45-50mph, stayed upright.

The driver of the 1.45pm Banbury to Paddington service spotted the 4ft by 3ft five-aside-style posts lying across all four tracks and managed to slow the train.

A British Transport Police spokesman said: "Anything laid across the line always brings with it the threat of derailment, and the fact this was done deliberately so soon after the Potters Bar tragedy is beyond belief."

An hour earlier the driver of another train reported seeing three youths hiding in bushes by the track. Police believe the posts had been taken from a sports ground near South Hinksey.

The sabotage happened 400 yards south of Oxford station. An oil filter beneath the three-coach train was damaged and 10 trains were delayed. The damaged train continued its journey half an hour later.

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