Commuter chaos as live wires fall onto busy train line forcing hundreds of people to evacuate via the tracks
- Train was stopped in southwest Sydney
- A live wire was on the track near Revesby
Hundreds of Sydney commuters were evacuated from a busy train after live wires fell onto the track.
More than 500 passengers were trapped on the train when it came to an abrupt halt between Revesby and Panania stations in the city’s southwest shortly after 3pm on Friday.
Passengers were stuck on the train for more than an hour in stifling heat while crews assessed the wire.
Rescue workers ripped panels off the train to help passengers exit through the driver’s compartment, onto the tracks.
Several commuters became agitated while in the train with many complaining the air conditioning had been switched off as temperatures reached 28C.
A Sydney train was stopped between Revesby and Panania stations with some 400 passengers stuck on board (pictured, emergency responders at the scene)
It’s understood some 400 passengers were trapped on the train for about an hour (pictured, commuters on the train)
Commuters, which included babies and pets were relieved to get off the train after an hour stuck in carriages without any airconditioning.
‘I thought we were going to die, we’re all a mess,’ one woman told Nine News.
One man added: Never coming on Sydney Trains again.’
Trains on the Macarthur Airport line stopped running between Panania and Glenfield.
‘Delays are expected on the East Hills, T8 Airport and South, T2 Inner West and T3 Bankstown lines this afternoon, and customers are advised to delay travel or consider other forms of transport,’ a Sydney Trains spokesperson said.
‘Crews are currently on site conducting urgent repairs. Sydney Trains apologises for the inconvenience and thanks our customers for their patience.’
Rescue workers ripped panels off the halted train to help passengers evacuate through the driver’s compartment (pictured, rescue workers at the scene)
Limited buses have replaced trains between Revesby and Glenfield for the commute home.
NSW Police and NSW Fire and Rescue attended the scene.
It comes just two days after Sydney’s entire train network was halted for almost two hours due to a communication issue.
Several commuters became agitated while in the train with many complaining the air conditioning had been switched off as temperatures reached 28C (pictured, the stopped train)
NSW Police (above) and NSW Fire and Rescue attended the scene in Sydney’s southwest on Friday afternoon