Manchester-Liverpool Rail Line Closed After Car Plummets On To Tracks

BBC / Michelle Adamson An upside down, crushed car lies on a railway line, with debris all around it. — The car’s driver has been arrested on suspicion of drink-driving

The main railway line between Liverpool and Manchester will remain closed for most of the day after a car plunged on to the tracks.

Northern, TransPennine Express and Transport for Wales services face significant disruption until the car can be removed from the line which connects Liverpool Lime Street and Manchester Piccadilly.

Network Rail said the crash, which happened in Salford in the early hours of Friday morning, caused “significant damage to the railway and overhead electric cables”.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said the car’s driver had been arrested on suspicion of drink-driving and taken to hospital with injuries understood to be “serious but not life-threatening”.

GMP A burnt-out and smashed car lies on its roof on the railway line. Debris is scattered all around the wreckage. The photograph was taken at night, with only the car wreckage illuminated. — The driver has been taken to hospital with injuries described as “serious but not life-threatening”

Network Rail said the line was expected to be closed “for the majority of the day”.

It said: “We’re really sorry to any passengers affected by this incident and urge anyone planning to travel by train between Liverpool and Manchester to plan ahead and check with their train operator for the latest travel information.”

A spokesman said it would “take some time to remove the badly damaged car” from the tracks.

National Rail, which represents train operating companies, said disruption between Newton-le-Willows and Manchester Oxford Road / Manchester Victoria was expected until 13:00 GMT.

Rail replacement bus services have been organised, the details of which are on the National Rail website.

Northern Rail customers have been advised that they can use their ticket on rail replacement bus services running at 30 minutes past every hour between Newton-le-Willows and Manchester Victoria. The last service will leave at 12:30 GMT.