£1000 reward offered in hunt for train thugs

May 21 2008 By Graham Fraser

A SUBSTANTIAL reward has been offered to find the yobs who injured a train driver in Blantyre last week.

At 7.10 pm Last Wednesday, a train travelling at around 60mph struck a metal object which had been left dangling from a bridge in Blantyre Farm Road.

The windscreen of the train smashed and the 37-year-old driver was showered with glass.

He was taken to Wishaw General Hospital for treatment for cuts to his face and forehead and injuries to his eyes. He was later released.

Fortunately, the man was driving a set of empty carriages at the time of the incident.

First ScotRail have put up a £1000 reward to assist the British Transport Police investigation to apprehend those responsible for this act.

The reward has been offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible.

Steve Montgomery, Operations and Safety Director at First ScotRail said: “We fully support the British Transport Police in their appeal to find the perpetrator of this serious incident, which resulted in the injury of a member of our staff.

“To reflect our zero tolerance of such acts, we are putting up a reward of £1000 to bring this person to justice. We appeal to anyone who knows who may be responsible to come forward.”

Detective Inspector John Harrington of British Transport Police added: “We appreciate the assistance of First ScotRail and hope this reward makes people understand the severity of their actions, as well as encouraging anyone with information to contact us as a matter of urgency.

“This was an act of sheer madness and total recklessness. The injured driver had a lucky escape and the consequences could have been so much worse.

“I am asking the people of Blantyre to come forward and pass on any information as I firmly believe those responsible come from within the local community.

“Somebody must have seen something and we have information to suggest that local youths congregate in the area near to the bridge.”

Officers have carried out door-to-door enquiries in the local area in an attempt to gain information.

As the Advertiser went to press, a spokesperson from the British Transport Police said enquiries were continuing and appealed for people to get in contact with them.

l The Blantyre incident is the third in a recent spate of similar cimes in Lanarkshire.

At 7.15pm on Tuesday, May 13, a train travelling at 75mph struck an object which had been suspended from overhead lines in the Dimsdale Road area of Wishaw but no-one was injured.

Three youths were seen running from the scene. Anyone with any information regarding their identity is urged to come forward.

In an incident on Monday, May 5, a piece of cable was thrown from the same bridge in Dimsdale Road.

At 10.30pm, a train travelling between Milngavie and Lanark was damaged after hitting the cable and had to be taken out of service.

Detective Inspector Harrington said: “I am concerned at the sheer disregard shown by those responsible and would ask anyone with information about any of these incidents to contact British Transport Police on 08000 405040 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.”