FIVE passengers were taken to hospital after an Exmouth-bound train was involved in a crash. A two-car commuter First Great Western service from Barnstaple to Exmouth collided with a stationary South West Train Exeter to Waterloo train on platform one on

FIVE passengers were taken to hospital after an Exmouth-bound train was involved in a crash.

A two-car commuter First Great Western service from Barnstaple to Exmouth collided with a stationary South West Train' Exeter to Waterloo train on platform one on Monday, January 4.

The Exmouth-bound train was carrying 12 passengers. Five people, three of whom were from Exeter and two from outside Devon, had to be taken to hospital with minor injuries, including whiplash.

The driver of the train was unhurt but understood to be shaken as a result of the crash.

Inspector Jim Atkinson, of Exeter's British Transport Police, said: "We carried out an initial investigation and established there had been no criminal activities.

"The Rail Accident Investigation Board is carrying out an investigation and the Exmouth-bound train was quarantined overnight.

"The Waterloo-bound train was taken out of service and passengers were able to catch the next available train. We took the details of the five passengers taken to the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital.

"I contacted them later and those I could reach were all okay."

A spokesman for First Great Western said: "I can confirm that a First Great Western train from Barnstaple to Exmouth came into low-speed contact with a stationary South West Trains service from Exeter St David's to London Waterloo at approximately 7.25pm in platform one.

"Platforms are often used to accommodate two trains at the same time, which is normal practice at stations across the railway network.

"The Railway Accident Investigation Branch is carrying out an investigation and we will be working with them and Network Rail to understand the reason why this happened.