London Overground train failed to stop in time when arriving at station, reports James Cracknell

*The wheels of a London Overground train lifted off the tracks at Enfield Town as it failed to stop in time (credit London Fire Brigade)*

A train crashed through the buffers at Enfield Town Station this morning, injuring two people.

At 8.20am the eight-car London Overground train, carrying around 50 people, failed to stop in time and hit the buffers, lifting its wheels off the track. Transport for London (TfL) described the crash as “low speed”.

Firefighters had to help evacuate the passengers and two were treated for minor injuries by London Ambulance Service crews. No-one was seriously hurt. The driver of the train was said to be “treated for shock”.

London Fire Brigade station commander Jim O’Neill, who was at the scene, said: “The train had hit the buffers at the station, which is at the end of the line, and gone up over the top of them.

“Firefighters carried out a systematic search of the train to ensure there were no further people on board.

“Crews assisted station staff to make the scene safe and a recovery operation will now be carried out.”

No trains are now running on the line to Enfield Town and the station will remain closed for at least the rest of the day as crews work to recover the damaged train and repair the damage to the track and buffers.

It is not known at this stage whether the cause of the crash was a train fault or driver error, as an investigation will need to be carried out by TfL.

Rory O’Neill, TfL’s general manager for London Overground, said: “A London Overground train had a low speed collision with a buffer at around 8.20am this morning at Enfield Town Station. Emergency services attended this morning and there will be a full investigation to establish how this happened.”

Ellie Burrows, Network Rail’s route director for Anglia, said: “At approximately 8.20am this morning a train hit the buffer stops at Enfield Town at slow speed. The driver is being treated for shock and there are reports of a few minor injuries. Emergency services including British Transport Police are on site and an investigation is underway.”

Enfield Council leader Nesil Caliskan said: “Thank you to emergency services and TfL staff for their quick response. My thoughts are with everybody involved.”

Enfield North MP Feryal Clark said: “I’m shocked to hear of a train going through the barrier at Enfield Town Station this morning, and want to thank our emergency services for reacting so quickly. I will continue to monitor the situation closely, and work with local partners to provide support where needed.”

Were you one of the passengers on the train this morning or did you witness the crash? Call Enfield Dispatch on 020 8367 2975 to tell us your story.

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