Rail chaos as 300 Sydney train passengers trapped

Sydney commuters are set to face ongoing rail delays on Wednesday morning as the network recovers from an incident in which high-voltage wires collapsed onto a train, trapping 300 passengers for hours and bringing the city to a standstill.

People crowding onto a train preparing to leave from Central Station. Picture: Thomas Lisson

Sydney commuters are likely to face ongoing rail delays on Wednesday morning as the network recovers from an incident in which high-voltage wires collapsed onto a train, bringing the city to a standstill.

The network was plunged into chaos just before the afternoon peak on Tuesday, with more than 300 people trapped on the affected train in the inner west for hours before they were evacuated.

Aerial images from the scene at Homebush showed workers in high-visibility clothing using a ladder to help passengers off the train.

A stranded commuter is evacuated from the train. Picture: Nine News

While no passengers were hurt, the incident resulted in the shutdown of the entire westbound line, with many services cancelled as a result and others running several hours behind schedule on Wednesday night.

Transport for NSW co-ordinator general Howard Collins said the live wires on top of the affected train had been “life-threatening” to those trapped.

Crews work at Homebush to cut the entangled train away on Tuesday night. Picture: Thomas Lisson

“If you get very near or touch wires with that amount of voltage and amperage, it will kill you straight away,” he said.

Mr Collins added that it was “very rare” to see such a “catastrophic” event.

Transport Minister John Graham apologised to affected commuters and warned the flow-on effects may still be felt across the rail network on Wednesday morning.

Mr Graham said teams were “working to cut the entangled train away” on Tuesday night and assess the recovery work that needed to be done.

The cause of the incident is not yet known.

People wait on platforms at Central Station after trains on the westbound line came to a halt. Picture: Thomas Lisson

Train delays at Central Station. Picture: Thomas Lisson

Thousands of stranded commuters crammed onto station platforms across Sydney during the afternoon peak while waiting for trains to arrive.

At Central, many tried to force their way into trains that were stuck on platforms waiting for the line ahead to be cleared.

Lidcombe resident Rebecca Lambert, 27, arrived at the station unaware of the delays and was left trying to figure out how to get home.

“I’m pretty frustrated,” Ms Lambert told The Daily Telegraph.

“I’m just trying to get home and unfortunately I’m (based) in Strathfield, so looking at that line hasn’t given me hope about getting home on time.”

Rebecca Lambert was “pretty frustrated” by the delays. Picture: Thomas Lisson

Extra bus services were put on across the city, with hundreds of people flooding Railway Square, near Central, in the hope of catching westbound buses home.

While all Metro services were still operating, stations were jam-packed as people flocked to avoid the trains.

Long queues developed, with escalators and Opal gates at one stage operating in the wrong direction.

Metro operators had to reverse the escalators at city stations to allow more people onto the platforms and ease bottlenecks just after 6pm.

Railway Square near Central Station in Sydney is crowded this evening commuters queue for replacement buses. Picture: Supplied

Passengers are stranded on a train with a live overhead wire touching the roof at Strathfield. Picture: Supplied

Mr Collins said there were significant delays on all train lines except the T4.

“I’d ask customers and passengers to be aware that if you are travelling, please do not do so on the rail network,” he said.

“The only area not affected by this is the T4, under the south coast and central services.

“The rest of the other lines, including the airport line and other services on the north shore, are impacted by this significant delay.”