Metro chiefs issue warning as bikes thrown onto track in Sunderland damages train

Metro operator Nexus has slammed vandals after two bicycles were thrown onto tracks, damaging a train and causing travel disruption.
By Tony Gillan
Published 1st Sep 2023, 12:54 GMT
Updated 1st Sep 2023, 12:54 GMT
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An early Metro travelling on Friday, September 1 suffered what the Echo understands from speaking to engineers at the scene was damage to a compressor below the carriage after riding over one of the bikes in the middle of the tracks.

The damaged train was stuck for hours in University Metro Station while engineers sorted the problem. Services were suspended in both directions between University and South Hylton stations, but resumed shortly before noon.

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After hours of hard work, engineers managed to get the Metro moving again from University Metro Station. Sunderland Echo image.After hours of hard work, engineers managed to get the Metro moving again from University Metro Station. Sunderland Echo image.
After hours of hard work, engineers managed to get the Metro moving again from University Metro Station. Sunderland Echo image.
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A Nexus spokesperson said: “The incident occurred at around 6.15am this morning (Friday, September 1) when a Metro train travelling through University station struck an object on the Network Rail line. This turned out to be a bike.

“Placing objects onto a railway line is dangerous and causes delays for customers. This offence will be reported to the British Transport Police to investigate and all available CCTV in the area will be checked to find those responsible.”