Cows derail passenger train in Kent

A railway line has been closed after a train derailed when it hit cows that had strayed onto the track.

Southeastern Trains said the incident happened between the villages of Wye and Chilham in Kent, involving a train travelling from Ashford to Canterbury.

Around 70 passengers who were on board at the time were evacuated by emergency services, with no reports of any injuries.

Two carriages were derailed but remained upright, Kent Fire and Rescue Service said.

Passenger Jonathan Calder tweeted a picture from the train which was derailed near Olantigh Road, showing the carriage in front of his at an angle, with the right-hand side of it clearly no longer on the rails.

He wrote: "Everyone is fine but this train is going nowhere. Front coach derailed."

Southeastern tweeted on Sunday night: "The line between Ashford & Ramsgate via Canterbury is closed until further notice after train collided with herd of cows. No passenger injuries.

"We're putting alternative transport in place between Ashford, Canterbury & Ramsgate and will make sure everyone gets home this evening."