Elizabeth line breaks down: Hundreds of Londoners trapped on tube in pitch black with no power
Elizabeth line breaks down: Hundreds of Londoners trapped on tube in pitch black with no power
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An Elizabeth line train has powered down mid-journey, stranding passengers for over two hours in the freezing cold.
The train is understood to have departed Paddington at 6.37pm and came to a standstill just outside of Acton Town station.
Passengers have been left in the dark with no power and few announcements have been given.
Transport for London (Tfl) said the line is experiencing massive delays and heavy disruption due to damage to overhead wires.
That’s crazy. We have been in Elizabeth line for more than two hours. Power off. All dark. I got a newborn with me. A lady fainted. We’re on the way to airport to go back home for Christmas. Missing a flight first time in my life time. #elizabethline @TfL @guardiannews pic.twitter.com/rqhDRXqEMi
— Irene (@irenephfung) December 7, 2023
Frustrated commuters have taken to social media to complain, with many complaining that the packed train has meant some passengers have been standing for over two hours.
Over an hour ago, one disgruntled passenger posted: "Elizabeth Line testing my patience this evening, we’ve been stuck here for 30 mins. We have no power, so can’t move! I need a pee - mind over matter!"
He continued: "We are well and truly stuck, sounds like some pretty serious damage on the overheads, so no power on the line. The driver has just announced that we need to be 'rescued', whatever that means."
Another said: "Elizabeth line has almost completely blacked out with a fully loaded set of carriages and many standing. No real or substantial updates, no sense of urgency - been sat for almost an hour!"
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Passengers have been left in the dark with no power
A third said: "Elizabeth Line testing my patience this evening, we’ve been stuck here for 30 mins. We have no power, so can’t move! I need a pee - mind over matter!"
The situation is still ongoing.
A user posted that the duration of time stuck on the tube had now increased to two hours.
There is currently no service between Paddington and Heathrow Airport as a result of the damage.
The tube was packed with commuters travelling back from work
TfL added that there were severe delays between Abbey Wood and Paddington.
Social media users have claimed that they are not being let off the carriages.
Someone posted to say that the situation is having serious implications on the passengers: "It's a complete blackout inside; people have missed their flights, kids and individuals with health issues are suffocating. This is a total failure of the Elizabeth line."
Another added: "We have been in Elizabeth line for more than two hours. Power off. All dark. I got a newborn with me. A lady fainted. We’re on the way to airport to go back home for Christmas. Missing a flight first time in my life time."