A SERIOUS accident could occur if vandals continue placing debris on the railway tracks near a Suffolk station, police have warned.

A SERIOUS accident could occur if vandals continue placing debris on the railway tracks near a Suffolk station, police have warned.

In the past three weeks there have been three separate incidents of bricks been placed on the Ipswich to Cambridge and Peterborough line near Bury St Edmunds station.

The latest incident happened on Wednesday night when bricks were discovered at about 7pm.

Sergeant Alan Judd from the British Transport Police said he was concerned. “We have had three incidents of debris on the line near Bury St Edmunds and we have great concerns that it is going to be debris one day that causes a derailment.

“Bricks will not derail a train but can cause a fright to passengers because it can cause the train to jump slightly. But if people continue to do it and play with bigger items then it has the potential to cause derailment and that is why we are concerned.”

On Tuesday June 17 a train full of people heading for Ipswich came moments from disaster when it ploughed into a concrete barricade placed on the same section of track.

The train careered into the makeshift barricade and lifted off the track as it struck the concrete slabs and wooden logs. Police described the incident as a lucky escape and warned the two-carriage train, carrying up to 100 people, could easily have left the track.

British Transport Police are appealing for whoever is placing the debris on the line to stop and are also looking for witnesses. Anyone with information is asked to call 0800 405040.