Woman chases train for a MILE along tracks after leaving belongings on board

Railway tracks, stock image. Rex

A woman who left her belongings on a train as she tried to buy a ticket ran for almost a mile along the tracks in Lancashire.

This is Lancashire reports that the 34-year-old student panicked after getting off the train at Burnley Central Station to buy a ticket when it set off again without her.

She climbed down from the platform and chased after the train on Thursday afternoon. Police said she ran to the next station, Burnley Barracks, a mile down the line.

A train travelling in the opposite direction had to stop as staff helped her to safety. Police were called and the woman was quizzed for several hours.

According to ITV.com, police issued her with a £50 fixed penalty notice for trespassing on the railways and said her actions were 'incredibly dangerous'.

The woman got off the train to buy a ticket after her card was declined when she tried to purchase one on board. But the guard was unaware and gave the signal to depart.

Inspector Phil Hutchinson, from Lancashire Police, told This is Lancashire: 'She was on her way to university to sit an exam and some of her property was on the train.'

'It is absolutely one of the most dangerous things people can do.

'From our point of view, it not only puts yourself in danger, but my staff as well.

'We have a duty to protect people and make sure they are safe, but I have to deploy my officers onto the live tracks if someone gets on.'

A Northern Rail spokesman said: 'We would like to remind passengers to take their belongings with them when they leave the train to reduce incidents such as this happening again.

'Not only did the woman's actions cause delays to others but she also put own safety at risk by trespassing on the tracks.

'We ask that all passengers boarding at a station that has an open ticket office or a ticket vending machine to purchase tickets before getting on the train.

'This particular passenger made the decision to leave the train at Burnley Central to purchase a ticket after her card was declined on board.'

A spokesman for the British Transport Police said: 'BTP officers were called to the line close to Burnley Central railway station after a report of a woman trespassing.

'The incident was reported to us at 12.11pm and was also attended by Lancashire Police.

'Officers subsequently spoke to the 34-year-old woman and issued her with a £50 fixed penalty notice for trespassing.'

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