Many will be all too familiar with the dreaded Southern Railway announcement: “Southern are sorry to announce…” followed by a list of the most recent delays and cancellations. However, today’s announcement dealt with a rather humorous occurrence, where a particularly stubborn swan blocked the lines between Hove and Worthing this morning.
Southern Railway took to Twitter to explain the peculiar event and the subsequent delays it caused, humouring a lot of commuters!
⚠️ #SNUpdates – Due to a very stubborn swan on the line between Hove and Worthing, all lines are currently blocked.
Tickets are currently being accepted on the 700 bus route between Brighton and Littlehampton.
— Southern (@SouthernRailUK) October 29, 2018
In order to remove the swan from the tracks, the electric current than runs between the lines had to be shut down to prevent the bird from being electrocuted whilst it was removed from the track.
It took approximately one hour to resolve the situation, resulting in delays of up to thirty minutes and cancellations. Southern Railway have encouraged passengers who faced a delay of fifteen minutes or more should seek Delay Repay on the Southern Website.
Stranded passengers took to Twitter to share their disgruntled (although amused) views on the situation. Many were in disbelief about the bizarre cause of delay:
My train is being diverted and terminated early because there is a swan on the line. No, I’m not joking.
— Rich Neville (@djnev) October 29, 2018
I think I'm four in a row for @SouthernRailUK delays now. Today at least the "swan on a line excuse" is a new one.
— Chris Smith (@kayjoon) October 29, 2018
I thought I’d heard every train delay excuse in the book but a swan on the line is a new one! https://t.co/5xdlWoNXmm
— Kristin O'Donnell (@Kiaod) October 29, 2018
Featured image: Mark Clitheroe
