More than 100 passengers stranded overnight on Queensland Tilt Train after storm brings down powerlines near Gympie

Detailed summary

More than 100 passengers have endured a night of darkness, heat and overflowing toilets after lightning brought down powerlines and stranded a Tilt Train for around 12 hours. The…

More than 100 passengers have endured a night of darkness, heat and overflowing toilets after lightning brought down powerlines and stranded a Tilt Train for around 12 hours.

The train came to a halt near Gundiah, north of Gympie in Queensland, about midnight after lightning brought down powerlines. Passengers remained onboard as crews worked to isolate the live wires and make the area safe.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Lightning strike traps passengers on tilt train overnight

Passenger Riley Hudd described the moment emergency crews arrived to find live wires lying across the top of the train.

“They went on top of the train there, sparks flying up above, shaking the cabin.”

The passengers were eventually evacuated on Wednesday morning, with buses completing the Brisbane to Bundaberg service.

But the ordeal left travellers exhausted and frustrated after spending most of the night trapped inside the train.

Hudd said the conditions inside the carriage became increasingly difficult.

“The toilets didn’t work so they’re pretty much overflowing, it’s emergency lighting only, so very dark, very hot.”

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