About 30 passengers were left on a locked platform at Newry Train Station for more than 45 minutes after a late-night train arrived at about 01:20 BST on Saturday. Anne Greer said the station was closed when the passengers got there, leaving them unable to leave.
The train was scheduled to leave Belfast at 23:59 BST on Friday and was one of the extra late-night services running for the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann. Shortly before 02:00, a worker arrived and opened the doors so the passengers could get out.
Anne Greer on the platform
Greer told News NI: “To our surprise the entire station was closed, so we couldn't exit,” and added: “So we're all trapped on the platforms for over 40 minutes.” She said the crew were “completely gobsmacked as to why they've arrived into a completely closed and locked train station.”
She also said: “If something had happened.. the only options we had were the tracks in front of us, which obviously nobody was going to try walking on.” That left passengers waiting for the station to be reopened before they could leave.
Translink and the late-night service
Translink apologised after rail passengers were left stranded on the platform and said its train crew remained with the passengers to ensure their safety while the issue was resolved. It said it was looking into the incident.
The timeline was tight: the train left Belfast at 23:59 BST, reached Newry at about 01:20 BST, and stayed there until a worker opened the station shortly before 02:00. For passengers on a late-night service, the immediate question is why the station was still locked when the train arrived.
Newry Train Station closure
The incident happened during extra late-night services to and from Belfast for the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, which made the locked station more than a routine delay. About 30 customers were held on the platform while the train crew stayed with them and the station remained shut.
