Horses loose on a rail track between Waterbeach and Cambridge were struck by a train last night, causing the train to derail and passengers to be stuck.

The Cross Country train, which was carrying 220 people, was derailed near the Fen Road crossing in Milton at 5.15pm, with one passenger describing a “huge bang” and a loss of power in the front carriage.

Firefighters, police officers and paramedics were on site to the incident which blocked the track in both directions, although no passengers were injured despite some being stuck inside for up to two and a half hours.

At least one horse was killed in the incident.

Train services last night were disrupted as a result of the collision, with replacement bus services running between Cambridge and Ely, and Cambridge and Norwich.