Squirrels wreak havoc onboard Gatwick train causing cancellation

Gatwick Express services were cancelled after a squirrel caused a power cut on the line.

The incident happened on Tuesday morning (24 January) at around 9.30am, when the squirrel came into contact with overhead power lines near Gatwick Airport.

The power cut caused the train to lose power and come to a halt. Passengers were evacuated from the train and taken to Gatwick Airport by bus.

Network Rail engineers worked to repair the damage and the line was reopened at around 11.30am.

A Gatwick Express spokesperson said: "We apologise for the inconvenience caused to our passengers. The safety of our passengers is our top priority and we are working hard to ensure that services are running smoothly again."

The incident is a reminder of the importance of keeping wildlife away from railway lines. Squirrels and other animals can cause significant damage to power lines and other railway infrastructure, leading to delays and cancellations.