A TRAIN carrying 60 passengers was nearly derailed yesterday when it struck wood and bricks piled on the line by vandals, in the Roman Way area of Cuxton, near Rochester.

The 5.53pm from Paddock Wood to Strood was travelling at 60mph when it crashed into the rubbish at about 6.30pm. Although no-one was injured, the collision caused the train's braking system to jam. Engineers had to be called to carry out emergency repairs and the track was blocked until 8.20pm.

Insp Gary Young said: "This was a very serious obstruction on the railway line that could have quite easily have caused a derailment resulting in death or serious injury. It was a deliberate act and the persons responsible need to be caught. I would appeal to anyone with information to please contact us."

Five weeks ago a train driver was nearly killed when his cab window was struck by a concret slab hung from a footbridge in Mill Hill, Cuxton.

 Anyone with information should contact British Transport Police on 0207 391 5275.