Updated: Five horses killed after being hit by trains, rail services suspended

Five horses have been killed after trains hit a number of the animals after they found themselves on a railway line.

Train services between Middlesbrough and Darlington have this morning been suspended.

It is not yet known how the horses got onto the line.

Northern Rail has confirmed that animals were on the line near Dinsdale, outside of the County Durham town, and services have been cancelled.

Reports from witnesses say that up to seven horses have been hit by trains.

A farmer, who did not wish to be named, but who lives close to Teesside Airport rail stop, said: "I woke up to a train stopped right outside the house.

"A neighbour came and told me not to go over the road because some horses had been hit, she said two were trapped underneath the train and that there were three more further down the track that had also been hit.

"It was yesterday that the horses had been running about the small field, they had been led there and left."

One of the dead animals could be seen at the side of the line this morning.

Rail workers on the line

A British Transport Police spokesman said: “We were called to the railway line near Teesside Airport station at 7.20am after reports a number of horses had been struck by two trains.

“Colleagues from Durham Police and the Environment Agency have also been in attendance.

“Five horses have been killed, but two have been helped from the track, in the care of the RSPCA.

“It is not clear how the horses came to be on the line.”

A Northern Rail spokeswoman said the accident looked to have happened at about 7.15am.

"Two trains were involved going in opposite directions," she added.

"They were the 6.58am Darlington to Saltburn and the 6.24am Saltburn to Newcastle.

"Thankfully there are no reports of any passengers being injured however one of the trains has been damaged."

Buses have been requested to run between Middlesbrough and Darlington - extending journey times by up to 30 minutes.

These buses were expected to be in place by 8.30am.

There is no estimate yet as to how long disruption will last - but it is likely to continue until at least 10.30am.

The Saltburn to Darlington line takes in various Teesside stations including Redcar, Thornaby, Eaglescliffe, Marske, Saltburn and Middlesbrough.

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