Southeastern is investigating reports train staff broadcast an “entirely inappropriate announcement” about a passenger who suffered a miscarriage at Rochester station.

Passengers faced delays on Tuesday evening after the woman was taken ill.

Commuters took to social media to complain about the way staff, on several trains, handled the situation.

They claim staff announced over the tannoy that the reason for the delays was due to a woman having a miscarriage.

An ambulance was called at 5.45pm and services returned to normal at 6.20pm.

“The level of personal information broadcast by Southeastern was absolutely disgusting. When they cause a delay they don’t tell us anything”

A customer, who did not wish to be named, said: “I was eight trains behind and the announcement we were given was that someone had suffered a miscarriage and an ambulance was on its way.

“The level of personal information broadcast by Southeastern was absolutely disgusting. When they cause a delay they don’t tell us anything.”

Another passenger said: “While my heart goes out to the lady and her family I do not feel this message needed to be communicated to passengers on other trains stuck in the delays.

"A simple “passenger medical emergency” would have been sufficient. Poor form by Southeastern yet again.”

Will Quinton, from Rainham, travels to Cannon Street each day, and heard the announcement on one of the services behind the train at Rochester.

“It was entirely inappropriate. It’s a private thing, and a terrible thing for a woman to have to go through.

“The driver should have used his loaf and thought of a way to rephrase it. I just wonder where that started.”

A Southeastern spokesman said: “We picked up on social media that this announcement had apparently been made. This would be an entirely inappropriate announcement to make and we are looking into the matter.”