Train chaos as service cancelled after two crazed squirrels rushed on board and attacked stunned passengers
A TRAIN service was cancelled after two squirrels boarded and attacked passengers.
Staff started shifting people up the carriages to get them away from the enraged rodents.
But the service had to be terminated early as one squirrel refused to alight.
The drama began when the pair hopped aboard the 8.54am Reading to Gatwick service as it stopped at Gomshall, Surrey.
A source said: “It was complete pandemonium. The squirrels got into the rear carriage and attacked people.
“All the passengers ran off the train and got another carriage.
“The conductor then had to lock the doors to stop the squirrels moving up the train.”
The Class 165 train stopped at Redhill where staff spent 30 minutes using brooms, a telescopic grabber and the lure of peanuts to try to get the turbulent tree-dwellers to leave.
But with one staying put, bosses opted to terminate the Great Western Railway service and send the train back to the yard in Reading to finally get rid of the pest.
It meant some passengers heading to Gatwick were in danger of missing their holiday flights.
The source added: “We’ve all heard of the ‘leaves on the line’ excuse, but a squirrel attack is a new one.”