Ipswich: Train Chaos With Man On Ipswich Station Roof

19 July 2013, 13:18

A man has caused travel chaos for trains heading in and out of Ipswich after climbing up onto a roof at the station.

British Transport Police were called just before 8.30am today (Friday, 19 July), where a man wearing just a pair of shorts and no shoes was on the roof.
 
Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service also attended the incident, and placed a ladder to allow the man to get down, which he refused.

Officers have also now retrieved a retractable knife, which the man dropped.
 
A spokesperson from BTP said: “Police negotiators are continuing to speak to the man to encourage him to leave the roof safely, which will allow the station and lines to reopen more promptly.”
 
Superintendent Matt Allingham, of BTP, said: “We have a team of officers working as quickly as possible to resolve the issue, although clearly the safety of the man on the roof, and the public, is and must remain our paramount concern.
 
“Officers at the station are working closely with all rail industry agencies to make alternative arrangements to get passengers moving.”  
 
A Greater Anglia spokesperson said: “Emergency services are attending the incident which has required the power supply to the overhead power lines to be switched off, preventing train movements through the station. We apologise to our customers for the inconvenience this is causing."

Greater Anglia are advising customers not to travel.