Bilston three-vehicle crash blaze disrupts rail services

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Several people, including two children, have been hospitalized following a blaze that broke out after three vehicles crashed under a railway bridge in Bilston. Emergency services rushed to the scene on Manor Road at approximately 11:15 BST to find a Volkswagen Golf, BMW, and a van fully ablaze. Four people were injured, and the crash forced the closure of the line, severely disrupting train services. Rail routes between Birmingham New Street and Wolverhampton and those between Shrewsbury and Stoke-on-Trent were affected, causing delays for several hours.

West Midlands Police said one of the vehicles had earlier been pursued after failing to stop for an officer. A man was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving and failing to stop and was taken to hospital for treatment in connection with his injuries. A woman, along with the two children, was also taken to hospital and is being evaluated. None of their injuries are believed to be life-threatening.

The incident caused a ripple effect, affecting further train services, such as Avanti West Coast and Transport for Wales. It is expected that the disruption would last until approximately 17:00, according to National Rail. The fire left several trains stranded, and passengers between Shrewsbury and Wolverhampton were encouraged to use rail replacement services. London Northwestern Railway also provided rail replacement services between Potteries-Crewe and Stafford via Stoke-on-Trent. Rail tickets were further enabled for use with National Express coach and Metro tram services.

In a separate incident, all lines of trains between Birmingham and Walsall and Rugeley Trent Valley were canceled following a fault with the signaling system. National Rail reported the incident at approximately 23:00 on Friday, and the disruption is expected to last until 19:00. Cross Country services have also been impacted by the fire

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