A TRAIN packed with commuters was lucky not to be de-railed after it ploughed into a fallen tree.

The Southeastern Trains 6.38am service between Ashford and London Cannon Street hit the tree shortly after 8am on Thursday as it travelled between Headcorn and Staplehurst.

The overhanging tree smashed through the driver’s passenger window and broke couplings on the front of the train.

A Southeastern Trains spokesman said: "It was very lucky that the tree had not actually fallen flat on the rails because trees are capable of de-railing trains."

No passengers were injured and most continued their onward journeys from Tonbridge.

A tree surgeon was immediately called in although subsequent trains were subject to only short delays.