OFF THE STRAIGHT AND NARROW
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CHILHAM - On Sunday July 25th, 2015, the 2010 Charing Cross to Ramsgate, lead by Class 375 703, was travelling at 60-70mph when it struck and killed up to five cows on the line between the villages of Wye and Chilham, in Kent, at about 2145. Two carriages were derailed. Network Rail and Southeastern trains revealed they had received reports of stray cattle up to 90 minutes before the collision but after a train was sent at cautionary speed without incident they resumed normal service. About 70 passengers were on the train when it derailed. Seventy-two passengers – including two pregnant women – were evacuated by emergency services to nearby Godmersham village hall, but there were no injuries. The driver is thought to have prevented a more serious collision when he jumped out of his cab and halted an oncoming train. He was then able to contact the signaller through the radio of this train to switch off the power to the line.
Recovery of the train underway.