A trespasser who caused massive disruption at London Waterloo has been sentenced to 18 months in prison. Ryan Seymour, 41, triggered chaos on the South West Main Line on August 19, 2024, by running across live railway tracks at New Malden, south-west London.
The South West Main Line is a vital route connecting Waterloo to Surrey, Hampshire, Dorset, and Wiltshire. During a police pursuit, Seymour ran across four electrified tracks, forcing a train driver to apply emergency brakes at 75mph. To prevent electrocution risks, Network Rail cut power to the line, stranding four trains and crippling the South Western Railway (SWR) network for several hours.
The disruption was extensive: 921 train services were affected, including 358 cancellations and 81 partial cancellations. The delays amounted to 13,178 minutes, equivalent to nine full days lost. Overcrowding measures were enforced at Waterloo station. The total cost to taxpayers reached £1.2 million.
With trains and crews displaced, delays continued well into the following morning, effectively halting the entire SWR network.
Seymour evaded police for several days before being arrested by the Metropolitan Police. On February 4, 2025, at Kingston Crown Court, he pleaded guilty to reckless public nuisance, dangerous driving, and driving without a licence or insurance. He received eight months for trespassing on railway property and ten months for dangerous driving, to be served consecutively, totaling 18 months imprisonment.
Network Rail and SWR officials have issued warnings about the dangers of trespassing on railway lines. Tom Desmond, Network Rail Operations Director, said, “This prosecution shows the severe consequences of trespassing. Seymour was lucky to escape unharmed.” Dan O’Riordan, Head of Security for SWR, added, “Trespassing on railway tracks is extremely dangerous. We hope this sentence warns others.” Detective Sergeant Tim Deans of the Metropolitan Police stated, “His reckless actions caused misery across south-west London. We will always act firmly against such behaviour.”
Rail authorities remind the public that the third rail carries lethal voltage and trains travel at speeds approaching 100mph. Trespassing on railway property is not only illegal but also deadly. Members of the public are urged to report any suspicious activity near railway lines immediately to help keep everyone safe.
Originally published by UKNIP.
