A TRAIN was stopped on the tracks by a man who then pelted it with bricks and forced open a door.

The Northern Rail service from Manchester to Clitheroe was brought to a halt just outside Hall I' th' Wood station on Thursday.

Passengers were left horrified as a man who had been walking on the tracks began to throw stones and bricks at the train at about 2.20pm.

One window was smashed, but the train was able to continue after the man was removed.

Police confirmed that a 22-year-old was removed from the tracks but that a decision had been taken not to prosecute him after a mental health assessment.

A young mum from Astley Bridge was travelling on the train and had to drag her 18-month-old son to safety when the attack started.

The woman, who asked not to be named, said: "At first he was just dawdling on the tracks but then he started being aggressive and throwing stones at the train.

"He managed to prise open the door where me and my sister were standing.

"We got the baby out of the pram and ran down the carriage.

"Just after we'd moved, he started chucking bricks through and smashed one of the windows."

When the driver was finally given the go-ahead to restart, the train arrived at Hall i' th' Wood station in little more than 30 seconds.

The passenger, who was travelling back from Manchester with her sister, said the man was wearing a high-vis jacket and black tracksuit bottoms.

She thought the police were a little slow to react to the situation.

"She added: "It was really scary and it was about 20 minutes before the police came.

"Then they just seemed to be talking to the guy from a distance.

"It was the passengers who were in the firing line really.

"When we were eventually able to get off the train there was not an officer in sight on the platform."

A British Transport Police spokesman said: "A 22-year-old man was removed from the tracks at Hall i' th' Wood station.

"Following a mental health assessment no further action taken in relation to the matter."

A spokesman for Northern Rail said: "Incidents such as this cost the rail network much more than a hefty bill.

"They can cause serious shock and upset to our drivers and conductors, and as a result, our passengers can suffer long and unnecessary delays and disruption to their journey.

“A damaged window also means a train has to be taken out of service for repair causing further delays and disruptions, something that is preventable and can be avoided."