A CRASH which could have derailed a train after a pile of bricks were put on the line near Chipping Sodbury last week was not the first incident, police have revealed.

British Transport Police (BTP) said a similar incident, which did not result in a crash, had happened at the same spot on the Great Western Main Line, the day before.

No-one was injured in either incident but there were majoy delays which cost rail companies thousands of pounds.

BTP have warned people of the dangers of putting anything on a railwway track, to themselves and other people.

Detective Sergeant Paul Stanley said: “Deliberate and malicious acts like this where obstructions are placed on the line are not only criminal, they risk lives.

“The consequences of placing any item on the track and it being hit by a train could potentially be fatal. How would the person responsible feel knowing they had caused death or injury because of a reckless, thoughtless act?

“I cannot over emphasise just how dangerous this is, particularly for the person who placed the items on the tracks. Fast trains use this stretch of line and trespassing near the tracks not only endangers the lives of others but also themselves.”

He added: “Apart from the potential human cost, a delay of 400 minutes will cost the railway more than £10,000 and cause massive inconvenience to rail passengers, whose services are delayed or cancelled.”

The second incident at 8.30pm on Thursday, June 16 saw the 7.15pm Paddington to Swansea service hit a pile of bricks placed on the line near Kingrove Lane.

Although no-one was hurt, the train was forced to wait on the line for technical checks. A later train, also from Paddington, had to wait at Bristol Parkway until the line was cleared.

BTP were on the scene shortly after the crash and a spokesman said at the time bricks had been placed on the line 'by unknown persons'.

He said no-one was injured but the train had suffered damage and an engineer had to check the train before it could be moved.

Wayne Smith, whose parents live nearby in Greenhayes, told the Gazette: "My parents live right by it. They were walking their dog when the police arrived.

"The train was stuck as the braking system had been damaged."

He said his parents did not hear a bang when the train crashed into the bricks.

The train was given the go ahead to continue its journey at around 10.30pm.

Passenger Lee Marston was stuck on the train for two-and-a-half hours, trying to get to Lisvane in South Wales. He missed his connection from Cardiff because of the delay.

He tweeted: “2hr30 stuck on the tracks.... I need a pint.”

Richard Gardiner was trying to get home to Yatton, North Somerset.

He wrote on Twitter: “Frustrated ... but really frustrated with the idiot(s) that put rocks on the line. I am glad BTP are here and investigating.”

Following the crash, it emerged bricks were also found on the line near Chipping Sodbury the day before.

BTP said the two incidents had not only risked people’s lives but had caused combined delays of 400 minutes and had cost £10,000.

Anyone with information about either incident is asked to contact British Transport Police on 0800 40 50 40, or text 61016, quoting reference 316 of 16/06. Information can also be passed anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.