Bird strike causes Shropshire rail service chaos
A bird caused severe delays and misery for commuters in Shropshire – after it flew into a train.
The train broke down in Shifnal after the bird broke crucial safety equipment.
All trains between Shrewsbury and Wolverhampton were cancelled while the damaged train was removed.
Passengers were asked to use replacement bus services, but heavy traffic meant these were also delayed.
The bird damaged an air pipe on the train when it hit it at around 3pm yesterday, leaving the train stranded on the track.
It was moved at around 5pm, by which time passengers travelling between Shrewsbury and Wolverhampton were being diverted via Crewe. All lines had reopened by 8.15pm.
One passenger affected by the delays was Lois Bowler who was travelling from Birmingham to Shrewsbury.
The 23-year-old, who lives near Shrewsbury, said: "We needed to get back to collect some friends from work. They had to make alternative arrangements.
"When we got to Wolverhampton we were told it had been cancelled. We had to get a taxi to Shrewsbury."
