Watch moment passengers on delayed train force doors open and walk along tracks

Fed-up commuters took matters into their own hands by forcing train doors open and walking along the tracks after a London train was delayed by a trespasser.

Rush-hour services in south-east London ground to a halt after a passenger pressed the emergency button.

With trains out of London already having suffered delays and cancellations due to Friday’s snow and ice chaos, passengers marooned on the stationary service then ended up taking matters into their own hands.

Irate commuters forced the doors open on a Southeastern train near Lewisham station, causing further delays as the train firm attempted to get people back into carriages.

Southeastern services at connecting London terminals were crippled as a result, with only a handful of trains leaving London’s Cannon St over several hours.

In a flurry of tweets from 6.30pm on Friday, Southeastern said on social media: ‘We’ve asked for extra police assistance at Lewisham because of the ongoing major disruption with a number of trains trapped in the area whilst the power is off.

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‘We know it’s difficult and really unpleasant onboard the trains but you’re safer remaining onboard.’

Southeastern later added: ‘We can’t tell you when you’ll be moving at the moment. Process is effectively this; when people stop getting off trains (unless controlled by emerg. services) and we’re clear no-one else is on track, the power will go back on. Once this happens – trains will move.’

A Southeastern spokesman said: “There are currently severe delays to trains in the Lewisham area following a serious trespass incident.

“Several passengers have forced open the doors on a train and disembarked while it was stopped outside of the station.

“We’ve had to turn the power off for safety reasons, and Southeastern staff are currently working closely with Network Rail and the police to clear the trespassers from the tracks so that we can get trains moving again.

“We completely understand that passengers on delayed and busy trains may be frustrated, but they simply must stay on the train for their own safety.

“These trespassers risk being electrocuted by the ‘third’ rail or hit by other trains. They’re also causing significant further delay for other passengers that our staff are working hard to get home.”