Hundreds of passengers were evacuated from trains in Sydney’s west after a high-voltage power cable came down on top of a train, triggering a serious safety incident and halting large sections of the rail network.
Transport officials confirmed that services between Central Station and Lidcombe were mostly suspended, with only the T4 southern line continuing as normal. The disruption began when a 1,500-volt overhead wire came down between Strathfield and Homebush stations, described by Transport Minister John Graham as a “life-threatening” event.
Thankfully, all passengers were safely removed from the affected train, allowing crews to begin recovery work, which is expected to continue into the early hours of Wednesday morning.
Evacuations and Delays Across the City
In addition to the impacted train, commuters on three other lines had to be evacuated after power was cut to ensure safety. Howard Collins, Transport for NSW coordinator general, explained that the power had to be isolated before passengers could be safely moved.
“The power collection device on the train made contact with multiple overhead wires,” he said. Soon after, footage showed passengers disembarking.
Transport Minister Graham warned of severe disruptions across the network through Tuesday night, with significant traffic congestion reported as commuters sought alternative travel.
Nicholas Turvey, one of many stranded at Parramatta Station, said: “It’s been a nightmare. The station was packed and trains kept getting delayed. I had to find another way home.”
Another commuter, Arun John, said his teenage daughter was stuck on a train at Strathfield for over three hours. “She’s been there all afternoon. I just want her home safe,” he said.
Investigation Underway into Cause
The exact cause of the incident remains under investigation. Mr Collins said it was too early to determine whether the issue was weather-related or caused by a mechanical failure in the overhead wiring system.
“This is very unusual. Incidents like this are rare,” he said, stressing the extreme danger posed by the high-voltage cables. “It’s life-threatening if you come close or touch the wires.”
Transport for NSW will use CCTV footage and diagnostic tools to identify the root cause. Although a similar incident happened last year, the location of this event has caused wider disruption.
Officials have ruled out poor maintenance as a contributing factor.
Repairs Underway but More Delays Expected
While crews work through the night to isolate and repair the fallen cables, officials warned that major delays will likely continue into Wednesday. Replacement buses are being arranged, and ride-share service Uber has agreed to introduce price caps to assist stranded commuters.
“We ask people to avoid travelling on the rail network if possible,” Mr Graham said.
Light rail, Metro trains, and local buses remain unaffected, but with roughly a million daily public transport users in Sydney, pressure on alternative routes is expected to be significant.
