Escaped tortoise caught after disrupting trains by ‘trespassing’ on rail tracks

A spate of train delays at the end of last week was caused by a runaway tortoise, Network Rail say.

Four services between Ascot in Berkshire and Bagshot in Surrey were disrupted onFriday evening after a driver spotted the animal by the tracks.

An incident report says the ‘trespasser’ was moving ‘at pace’ towards Bagshot.

Engineers picked the tortoise up and put it on the next passing train, with arrangements to drop it off at a vet in Staines.

But in the meantime, the animal’s owner came forward to identify him as their pet, named Solomon.

South Western Railway said Solomon was collected the same evening ‘and, as far as we are aware, was unharmed’.

Network Rail suggested the owner’s home is next to the rail track and that the tortoise may have got through a gap in their fence.

A spokesperson said on Monday: ‘We are sorry to any passengers who were disrupted during this incident.

‘While we are delighted that this story has a happy ending and can reassure passengers that our everyone home safe, every day ambitions extend to pets, we must remind everyone that the railway is dangerous.

‘Trains need several football pitches to stop from full speed and there are less obvious dangers such as the, always on, electrified third rail.

‘We also ask that our lineside neighbours ensure that their fencing is secure to prevent human, or animal incursions onto the track.’

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