RAIL passengers faced lengthy delays after the train they were travelling on hit cows on the line.

Train bosses said 10 people were on board the 7.44pm Clitheroe to Manchester Victoria train when it hit the cows.

The Bolton News:

At least one animal died in the incident, which happened at about 8.30pm on Monday.

The two-carriage train ground to a halt just outside Bromley Cross, near a level crossing.

One witness, Twitter user @Northern_Rover, was on the train and kept his 4,800 followers up-to-date from his seat. He said: “The train I am on has hit a cow.

“The cow is stuck under the train and we can’t move.

“This could be a very long night.

“Honestly, you couldn’t make this up.

“The cow is still alive; I can hear it under the train.”

Later, he added: “The cow is now quiet.

“This train isn’t going to move, but we will be soon going back to Bolton to catch buses home.

“It was alive for a while but then quiet.

“Poor thing.”

A Northern Rail spokesman said Network Rail was called out to deal with the cows, which are considered as "obstructions" on the line.

She said: “The front carriage was slightly damaged so passengers were moved into the second, which went to Darwen.

“After arriving there at 10pm, onward travel was provided on buses.

“No injuries were reported.

“Three cows were hit, and one of them was definitely killed.”

Buses replaced trains between Clitheroe and Bolton until the end of service on Monday, Northern Rail added.

The cows are believed to have wandered on to the track from a nearby farm.

A Network Rail spokesman added: “A train hit three cows by the Turton level crossing, between Entwistle and Bromley Cross.

“One cow was lodged under the train, and engineers had to wait for Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service to help remove it. ”