A LEYLAND man involved in last week's horror train smash on the West Coast mainline has praised the quick-thinking express train driver, saying his actions saved the lives of the passengers.

Stephen Sumners, a lorry driver from Leyland, was among 132 passengers involved in last Wednesday's train crash, which occurred when a Virgin express train collided with a stationary First North Western pacer train in Winsford, Cheshire.

Four coaches derailed on impact, but miraculously, no-one was seriously injured, and of the 45 passengers hurt, only five were detained in hospital over-night.

Stephen, 39, suffered just bruised ribs and coffee burns to his hands and face during the crash, which resulted in the Warrington to Crewe stretch of the busy West Coast main-line being closed for several days, causing commuter chaos across the country.

And the South Ribble train enthusiast firmly believe his life - and those of his fellow passengers - was saved by quick-thinking train driver Roy Eccles, who is currently recovering in hospital.

Stephen, who had boarded the London Euston to Glasgow train at Derby, said: "The driver is an absolute hero.

"I thank God we were on a straight piece of track.

"It gave the driver that fleeting instant in which to slam on.

"He was going full speed at 110mph when the emergency breaks were applied.

"We shuddered and skidded then the next moment there was this colossal impact and we all went flying."

Stephen added: "Had the driver's concentration not been spot on we would have been slamming into the other train at more than 100mph.

"I can't begin to imagine the tragedy that could have been.

"It really is a miracle."

Both Virgin and First North Western are carrying out inquires into what happened, as is the Health and Safety Executive.

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