Woman on tracks causes disruption (From Richmond and Twickenham Times)

Woman on tracks at Mortlake causes disruption

9:00am Saturday 23rd February 2013 in News By Clare Buchanan

A woman from Richmond caused travel disruption this week when she wandered onto the train tracks at Mortlake.

The 50-year-old woman was seen standing on the tracks on Tuesday, February 19, and the power was turned off when officers from the British Transport Police (BTP) and the police went to retrieve her.

The incident was reported to the police shortly after 7pm and the woman was taken to Charing Cross Hospital for assessment.

Phil Poole, who was on the Windsor and Eton Riverside train behind the woman, said he was on the train for almost an hour but was impressed by the communication of South West Train employees.

He said: “All I experienced was announcements, the power going off on the train and then the lady being led down the London-bound platform as they escorted her away.

“Despite the disruption, the guard and driver were in constant communication with the passengers explaining what they could about the situation especially on the power being switched off, police releasing the scene and safety precautions.

“So much so that the mood onboard was much more accepting than the usual train delays and people seemed pretty reassured that they were doing everything they could to fix the situation quickly and safely.”

Services to Waterloo on the Hounslow loop were disrupted for about two hours.

A spokesman for South West Trains said: “As a result, there were minor delays to train services in the area until around 9.30pm.

“Passengers were offered alternative routes via local buses and London Underground.”