Loose cattle cause travel chaos

The train accident was the second incident involving the same animals

An investigation is underway after a stray bullock was struck by a passenger train near Abergele.

Arriva Trains Wales have confirmed that the service from Manchester hit the animal at around 1030 BST on Wednesday morning.

It is understood that no passengers were injured in the accident.

Earlier, a cow from the same herd was shot dead by marksmen after wandering onto the A55 dual carriageway between Abergele and Llanddulas.

The incidents began at around 0700 BST when police received reports that 17 cattle were on the A55 expressway.

"The police control room was flooded with 999 calls from concerned members of the public after the cows wandered across both carriageways and on to the central reservation," said a spokesman for North Wales Police.

One cow broke away from the rest of the animals as it ran across the A55.

"It was humanely destroyed by armed officers as it was posing a danger to the public," confirmed the force.

It is understood that a bullock with those animals then wandered on to rail tracks that run alongside the A55 on the north Wales coast.

'Shaken'

The service from Manchester struck the animal close to the Penmaenrhos tunnel.

A spokesperson for Arriva Trains Wales said: "Fortunately it appears the train was not travelling at a high speed at the time.

"We have no reports of any injuries from the passengers.

"The driver was a little shaken, but he is also unhurt."

The train service limped into Llandudno Junction where the service was terminated.

Engineers from Network Rail are now examining the scene of the incident.

Services are operating on a single track while the investigation continues, with delays on journeys between Rhyl and Llandudno Junction.

"It does bring up questions as to whether people are closing gates in fields and that is something that will come up in the investigation," added the Arriva spokesperson.