Police are hunting an unknown individual who hurled a traffic cone from a bridge and shattered the driver’s window of a passing train.
Officials leading the probe into the incident at Cove Bay, on the outskirts of Aberdeen, say the “reckless” behaviour risked the life of the driver and “everyone on board”.
The cone was chucked from the bridge at the coastal spot on Saturday night and local leaders have condemned the person responsible.
The Aberdeen to Montrose service immediately ground to a halt, and the train was withdrawn for repairs.
Representatives from the British Transport Police (BTP), who are leading the investigation, say the incident could have had far more serious consequences.
ScotRail service Aberdeen to Montrose was had taken out of service today after a traffic cone was thrown from a bridge in #CoveBay. Luckily, no one was injured, but this reckless action could have seriously injured or killed the driver and risked the lives of everyone onboard. pic.twitter.com/PtxjKA30Cc
— BTP North Scotland (@BTPNorthScot) April 17, 2021
The BTP said: “Luckily, no one was injured, but this reckless action could have seriously injured or killed the driver and risked the lives of everyone on board.”
It is understood that officers in attendance at the scene were able to recover the traffic cone from the tracks.
Aberdeen South MP and former councillor for Cove, Nigg and Kincorth, Stephen Flynn issued an appeal for anyone with information to come forward.
He said: “This mindless and downright dangerous act cannot be condemned enough and I would urge anyone with information to immediately contact the police.”
Councillor for Cove, Nigg and Kincorth, Alex Nicoll, added: “It is extremely disappointing to hear that somebody has been foolish enough to throw anything at a train.
“The potential to have caused a very serious injury through such actions should be very clear and obvious.
“I would encourage anyone with information to contact the police or Crimestoppers.”
Mr Nicoll added: “There has occasionally been problems with people transgressing onto the train line, but throwing things at a train is remarkably dangerous and certainly not something that has been prevalent in the past.”
A spokesman for Scotrail said: “Anti-social behaviour has no place on Scotland’s railway.
“We will work with the British Transport Police to clamp down on this extremely dangerous and unacceptable behaviour.”
