Magilligan: Burning car on track forces train emergency stop
- Published
The burning car was left on tracks close to Magilligan in County Londonderry
A car set on fire and abandoned on the railway line between Londonderry and Coleraine has been described as a "deliberate act" by the fire service.
A train with six passengers on board was forced to make an emergency stop.
The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service sent an appliance from Limavady to the blaze in Magilligan at 21:00 BST on Monday.
Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon said the quick reactions of the train driver had saved lives.
Ch Insp McIldowney described the incident as a "reckless endangerment to life" and praised the "heroics of our colleagues in the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service".
Police have begun an investigation into the incident and have appealed for anyone with information to come forward.
The railway line was closed for a while but reopened early on Tuesday morning.
Work was being carried out on the damaged track on Tuesday
Ms Mallon said she was "deeply concerned and troubled" by the incident.
"Someone deliberately put a car on our train tracks and set it alight knowing that a train was coming. Thankfully, for the prompt action of our train driver, no one was injured.
"I send our deepest gratitude to our driver and crew for taking the action that they did, it has undoubtedly saved lives.
It is unimaginable what could have happened had our driver not have reacted in the way she did".
East Londonderry SDLP assembly member Cara Hunter thanked the train driver "for her bravery and quick response".
"I think we are all very thankful that neither she nor the passengers on the train were harmed," she said.
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The fire service told BBC Radio Foyle the blaze near Bellarena was brought under control on Monday evening but damage had been caused to the track.
An early morning service between Londonderry and Coleraine went ahead as normal on Tuesday, Translink said.
Chris Conway, Translink group chief executive, said: "The train driver reacted quickly and thankfully brought the train to a stop safely, short of where the car was burning.
"The train crew ensured all safety procedures were followed with the incident swiftly reported and emergency services attended the scene.
"The train returned to Coleraine Station, where six passengers got off safely for onward connections by road. It is very fortunate that no-one has been injured in this incident".