Passengers stranded on train

The line closure forced services to be rerouted

Almost 100 passengers were stranded on a train for more than four hours after bridge masonry fell onto the track forcing it to be closed.

The 98 people were aboard the 0844 BST Virgin Trains cross country service from Newcastle to Bournemouth when it was halted at about 1330 BST.

The line had to be closed a few miles north of Oxford station after stonework fell onto the track from a road bridge carrying the A40 northern bypass.

The passengers were finally transferred to buses by 1800 BST.

The line, which was earlier deemed unsafe for travel by Network Rail, has now reopened.

Other train companies affected by the closure also laid on bus services and arranged alternative routes.

Jonathan Radley, communications manager for Thames Trains, said: "We would like to extend our apologies to all customers for the disruption to their journey.

"We will work hard to restore normal service as quickly as possible."