10:36AM, Wed Sep 12, 2012

Hunt For Teenage Gang After Stone Hurled Through Train Windscreen

By Ruth Holliday Location: Wallsend

A stone that was hurled through the window of an East Coast Mainline train narrowly missed the driver.

It happened at around 3.30pm on Sunday September 9 near Wiltshire Drive, Wallsend, just north of Heaton rail depot.

The stone hit the 14.00 Edinburgh Waverley to Kings Cross service and police suspect a gang of teenagers seen nearby may be responsible.

Sgt Andrew Cook from British Transport Police said: "The driver was extremely lucky not to have been injured.

"This was an extremely foolish and dangerous act, which resulted in a train being damaged.

”The driver saw five youths hiding in the bushes close to where the incident took place who we believe may have been responsible.

"They have been described as approximately 15 years old.

"Three of the youths were male, one was wearing a Newcastle United football top, the others blue tops.

"The other two members of the group were female and both wore grey tops.

"Throwing a stone at a fast moving train is an incredibly irresponsible thing to do and we have stepped up patrols in the area to try and catch those responsible."

East Coast spokesman John Gelson said: "We appeal to anyone who saw youths in the area of Wallsend close to the East Coast Main Line to come forward and help the police with their enquiries."