Train hits bike thrown on track
A bicycle which had been deliberately thrown onto train tracks in front of an incoming high speed train could have led to serious consequences, police have said.
The Exeter St Davids to Leeds express train drove into the red and silver mountain bike which witnesses claim was dropped there by a young person who appeared to be 15 or 16-years-old.
Reports by British Transport Police said that onlookers saw a teenager ride away from the station on a different bike after pushing it onto the tracks minutes before the train, travelling at 100mph, struck it.
Sergeant Cliff Parker, of British Transport Police, said it was a "mindless act of vandalism" which could have resulted in serious injuries.
He added: "Thankfully, on this occasion the train remained upright, on the tracks and no one was injured. Although this may seem like fun to those who commit such offences, what they don't realise are the potentially serious consequences of their extremely foolish behaviour."
Police are now appealing for more witnesses to come forward about the incident, which happened on Sunday at Yate station near Bristol.
Copyright Press Association 2012
