Devon Live reports all lines between Totnes and Exeter St Davids were closed after a person was hit by a train near Newton Abbot. The disruption was first reported at 3.15pm, and National Rail said trains would be cancelled, delayed by up to 60 minutes or revised.
CrossCountry and Great Western Railway services between Totnes and Exeter St Davids were caught in the closure. GRW said tickets could be used at no extra cost on local bus services while the situation developed.
National Rail and GRW updates
National Rail said: “A person has been hit by a train between Paignton / Totnes and Exeter St Davids. Whilst the emergency services carry out their work, all lines between these stations are closed. Trains will be cancelled, delayed by up to 60 minutes or revised.”
GRW said: “We are sorry for the disruption to your journey today, these are the current options available to you:” It also said: “You can use your ticket at no extra cost on the following local bus services:-” and added: “We will continue to monitor the need for this as the situation develops and provide updates here.”
Newton Abbot disruption
An air ambulance was seen landing near the racecourse after the incident began to unfold near Newton Abbot. National Rail's update leaves the immediate practical picture clear for passengers: the section was shut, several services were already cancelled, and others were being revised while emergency services worked at the scene.
The 3.40pm train to Plymouth, calling at Exeter St Davids and Totnes, was cancelled, along with the 4.14pm train to Penzance and the 4.25pm train to Plymouth. The 4.49pm train to Plymouth was running late because it had to make extra stops, and the 2.50pm train to Penzance was also cancelled.
Totnes and Exeter St Davids
For passengers between Totnes and Exeter St Davids, the immediate next step is to follow the service changes already issued by National Rail and GRW, and use the local bus acceptance where it applies. The open question is whether the closed lines can reopen before the backlog of cancellations and revised trains clears through Devon.
