AN EYEWITNESS who watched flash floods damage a railway line minutes before it was crossed by busy commuter trains has told how he tried to avert an accident.

Retired railway engineer Alwyn Robertson shot video footage as he and others watched in disbelief as a wall of water removed ballast, leaving tracks unsupported near Baildon station.

He gave details to police, but Network Rail staff were unable to find the damage.

The Rail Accident Investigation Branch has now started a probe into how warning phone calls from him and others did not lead to discovery of the four metres of unstable track.

Baildon resident Mr Robertson, who once worked building trains in York, told what happened on the afternoon of Tuesday, June 7, when torrential downpours caused the sudden flood.

“I can’t believe they missed the damaged section. I live in Dewhirst Road overlooking the allotments and when the flood charged down the valley I went out to have a look,” said Mr Roberston, 63.

“Water was racing over the track and stripping out the gravel so I called 999 and was put through to the police. I gave an exact location, about 500 yards from Baildon Station, heading towards Bradford. Obviously I knew how to describe it, it’s where I live. Other people were calling in about it too.

“I gave my mobile number and all anyone had to do was give me a call and I’d have taken them right to it - but that didn’t happen.”

Trains were stopped as an inspection of the track was carried out. But that failed to find the dangerously unsupported rails.

“The trains stopped for about half an hour, and then suddenly started up again at about 5.30pm. I couldn’t believe it and thought ‘what are you trying to do?’

“I couldn’t believe it when I saw that train go over and then a few minutes later another one went across. That one slowed really quickly and then stopped.”

The driver of the second train was said to be “shaken” by the experience.

“I will be very interested to hear what comes of this investigation,” Mr Robertson said.

An RAIB spokesman said the investigation would last six to 12 months and will look at how the reports of the track damage and the flooding were communicated within Network Rail.