Cheshunt: Police hurt before stolen car driven along railway line
- Published
Two police officers have been injured after they stopped a stolen car in an incident described as "like a scene from Grand Theft Auto".
Hertfordshire Police said the vehicle travelled into the county and was found in Cheshunt, where Essex officers attempted to speak to the driver.
It then made off, injuring two officers and damaging several vehicles.
Video footage shows it then being driven along the track beside the platform at Cheshunt station.
The black vehicle, which appears to be a Land Rover Discovery, was later abandoned on the railway line nearby, causing major disruption to rail services.
Greater Anglia and Stansted Express services into and out of London have been affected. Lines have reopened, but disruption is expected until 15:00 BST.
London Overground services were also affected for a time.
An eyewitness, Ali, said he was left "gobsmacked" by what he saw at Cheshunt station.
"It was like a scene from Grand Theft Auto, the video game," he said.
He was due to catch a train, but missed it due to the incident.
Hertfordshire Police said it was made aware at about 09:30 BST that the vehicle had travelled into the county from Essex.
It said its officers attended and assisted with the search and the vehicle was found abandoned on the track in Windmill Lane.
It said the vehicle was not struck by a train at any point and that a search to find the driver continued.
British Transport Police (BTP) said: "Officers received a report of a car on the railway line in Cheshunt at 9.43am today.
"Officers are currently on scene responding to the incident alongside colleagues from Hertfordshire Police and Essex Police."
A Network Rail spokeswoman said the car had been taken off the line and repair work to the track was due to take place.
Witnesses to the incident are asked to contact Hertfordshire police.
National Rail Enquiries said all lines had reopened but trains may "continue to be cancelled, delayed by up to 60 minutes or revised".
ℹ️ #Cheshunt - Disruption is expected until 15:00.
— National Rail (@nationalrailenq) July 15, 2021
Find BBC News: East of England on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. If you have a story suggestion email eastofenglandnews@bbc.co.uk