One injured in rush-hour train collision

One person has been hurt as two rush-hour trains collided in London.

The accident happened when a London-bound train "clipped" the back of another train just outside Hither Green Station near Lewisham. London Ambulance Services said it is dealing with one male patient with minor injuries.

Railtrack has launched an inquiry into the incident which has come less than two weeks after the Selby rail crash which claimed 10 lives.

The two trains involved were the 7.58am service from Sevenoaks in Kent to London's Cannon Street station and the 8.08am from Crayford in Kent to Cannon Street. The power to the line is off and no trains are running.

A Railtrack spokesman said: "We understand the Crayford train clipped the back of the Sevenoaks train on the London side of Hither Green station at about 8.30am.

"The Sevenoaks train was just leaving the station and the other train was joining the same track. We do not yet know why the accident happened."

British Transport Police said the collision was a minor incident and both trains were going slowly. Two ambulances, a rapid response unit with paramedics and a medical team from the Royal London Hospital, were sent to the scene.

A spokeswoman for London Ambulance Service said: "There is only one patient with minor injuries who is a male. I think they are evacuating the trains at the moment."

The two trains were both eight-carriage Networker electric trains operated by the Connex South East rail company. Passengers on the Crayford train were able to exit on to Hither Green station as most of their train was still in the station.

Passengers on the Sevenoaks train, which was just outside the station, were being escorted to safety. He said 10 buses were being laid on to help passengers with onward journeys.