Two hurt in train derailment as downpours lead to landslides

Two people needed hospital treatment after a train bound for Yorkshire was derailed by a landslide as heavy rainfall again battered the country amid warnings of more bad weather to come.

All 17 passengers on board the two-carriage train were evacuated after it came off the tracks near Clarborough Tunnel in West Portal, Retford, Nottinghamshire, just after noon on Friday.

Two of the passengers, including the train driver, received minor injuries when the 11.25 service from Lincoln to Adwick, near Doncaster, was struck by debris from the landslide and were taken to hospital, British Transport Police (BTP) said.

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The others were taken by taxis to nearby stations to continue their journeys.

A BTP spokesman said it is thought the landslide was caused by the large amount of rain that has soaked the region this week.

In a statement, BTP said: “The front of the train derailed but the train remained upright.”

Weather forecasters are warning further heavy rain and high winds will sweep across the country tomorrow.

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York was among the areas worst hit by the torrential rainfall overnight and into yesterday, with some residents warned their homes were in danger of flooding after four pumps on the River Foss failed.

Flood warnings were issued in the Huntington Road and Foss Island Road area near the Foss, and also for properties near Tang Hall Beck and Osbaldwick Beck.

Alerts were also issued for the centre of the city at Kings Staith.

East Riding Council sent two pumps to Stamford Bridge, near York, after flooding from the River Derwent caused the closure of Buttercrambe Road and the car park at the Swordsman pub, which backs on to the river.

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The council said staff would stay in the area to support the Environment Agency and monitor the weather and road conditions.

An Agency spokesman said: “There has been a significant amount of rain over the last 24 hours, with up to 40mm falling in places.

“This has caused river levels to rise including the River Derwent.”

Flood warnings were issued early yesterday to local people in the Stamford Bridge area but the water levels began to drop later in the day.

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“The warning will remain in force until the river has dropped to a safe level,” said the spokesman.

“Heavy rain showers are expected to continue on Sunday and into next week, so we will be continuing to keep a close eye on the situation.”

Fire crews were called out to Manchester Road in Thurlstone, near Penistone, yesterday after floodwaters began inundating several homes in the area. They pumped out the houses and laid sandbags to try to prevent further problems.

Further flooding was also reported in Castleford in West Yorkshire and warnings were also issued for areas along the River Don near Doncaster yesterday afternoon.

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Elsewhere, Kirklees Council announced that all matches on its council pitches had been cancelled for this weekend.

A spokesman said prolonged bad weather had led to flooding on some pitches while others are waterlogged and unplayable.

Pumps were also sent to the Holderness Drain in East Yorkshire.