POLICE have said it was only luck that prevented a catastrophic accident after a train hit a wooden sleeper that had been deliberately placed on tracks by vandals.
The driver of the train, a rush-hour Newcastle to Middlesbrough Northern Rail service, was forced to do an emergency stop, but could not prevent a collision.
However, the passengers onboard escaped unhurt following the incident at Blackhall Colliery, County Durham.
Full story in tomorrow's Northern Echo
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