Trains suspended after suspected drink-driver crashes on to tracks in Salford | UK news

A major railway line in Greater Manchester has been closed after a car driven by a suspected drink-driver crashed on to train tracks.

Images from the scene show the vehicle landed upside down and was surrounded by debris on the tracks in Salford, causing major disruption to train services between Manchester and Liverpool, which was expected to last until 10pm on Friday.

Greater Manchester police said the driver of the car, a man in his 30s, was arrested on suspicion of drink-driving. He was taken to hospital with serious but not life-threatening injuries.

No other vehicles were involved in the incident, which happened at Regent Road roundabout.

Train services operated by Northern, TransPennine Express and Transport for Wales were affected.

A Network Rail spokesperson said: “In the early hours of this morning, a car crashed on to the railway near Regents Road roundabout in Salford causing significant damage to the railway and overhead electric cables that provide power to trains.

“As a result of this incident, no trains are able to run on the Chat Moss line between Liverpool Lime Street and Manchester Piccadilly, impacting Transport for Wales, TransPennine Express and Northern train services.”

The BMW car was removed from the tracks shortly before midday but Network Rail said damage to the overhead lines would take at least eight hours to repair. A spokesperson said: “We anticipate the earliest possible time the lines can reopen is 22:00.”

The crash caused major problems for commuters and may also affect football fans travelling to Old Trafford for the 8pm FA Cup tie between Manchester United and Leicester.

“We would ask passengers travelling to the Manchester United game to check before they travel,” the spokesperson said.

“We’re really sorry to any passengers affected by this incident and urge anyone planning to travel by train between Liverpool and Manchester to plan ahead and check with their train operator for the latest travel information.”