A police investigation has been launched after a brick was thrown at a train near Hayes and Harlington Station smashing a window and causing the train to be cancelled.
The window was smashed after an object was thrown at the train from an embankment, smashing one of the passenger windows.
A witness said multiple objects were hurled at the train and one went through an open window, narrowly missing a passenger.
Luckily no injuries were reported.
Police constable Joseph Scurlock with the British Transport Police (BTP) at Paddington said: “Throwing objects at trains is an unbelievably dangerous and stupid thing to do.
“Trains along this path travel at high speeds so there is real potential for someone to receive serious or fatal injuries as a result.”
The incident happened at around 4.40pm near Hayes station to the 4.12pm service from London Paddington .
Trains were delayed and major disruption was caused because of the attack on the train.
Major disruption
The witness told getwestlondon : “Some young vandals threw several objects including a brick at the train on its approach to Hayes and Harlington station, hitting several carriages, smashing at least one window at the front of a train and resulting in part of one of the missiles getting through an open window (given the heat) and narrowly missing a passenger at the rear of the train.”
She added: “The train had to be taken out of service, further train cancellations and causing major disruption to hundreds of commuter journeys on one of the hottest days of the year.”
Trains were also delayed at Hayes and Harlington last week after a train broke down near the station.
Police carried out a search of the area but were unable to find the suspects.
PC Scurlock added: “It is important the person responsible is identified, therefore I would encourage anyone who has any information to contact us as soon as possible, so events like this are not repeated."
Anyone with information is asked to call BTP on 0800504050 and quote reference 378 of 23/08/2016.
