Severn Tunnel: Train passengers saw flames from window

One passenger said he heard a bang and one of the windows opposite him had shattered

Passengers described seeing flames from the window of their train during an incident which closed the Severn Tunnel.

Some told BBC Wales they heard a "bang" before a carriage window shattered on the journey from Bristol to Cardiff on Wednesday.

The tunnel was closed while the track was inspected.

Great Western Railway did not comment on a fire, but said a fault was being investigated.

Steven Medway said he happened to be looking out of the window as they went through the tunnel, and saw the flames.

"It felt like we had driven through some fire," he said, "we had hit something, and there was a bang, then one of the windows opposite me shattered."

He said passengers where then moved from the carriage by a guard, and the train stopped once it had left the tunnel.

Mr Medway said passengers were told the impact had caused an engine leak, and an engineer had been called from Cardiff.

"It was getting late so I got my wife to come and pick me up," he said, adding they offered a lift to a family who were waiting at the next train was almost an hour later.

'I woke to a loud bang'

An ITV reporter who was travelling on the train at the time of the incident said there was smoke, damage to the window and leaking oil.

Another passenger, Kyle Palmer, said he had got on the train and was heading to Newport.

"I fell asleep and woke up to a loud bang," they said.

"We all turned around and the window was shattered and there was flame."

A GRW spokesperson said: "The 1723 Portsmouth Harbour to Cardiff service came to a stand at Severn Tunnel with an engine fault.

"Unfortunately, this closed the line into/out of south Wales while a track inspection was carried out, significantly delaying services through the area.

"Customers were either taken forward using a diversionary route, or by replacement bus service."