Brighton station cleared in bomb alert

From the archive, first published Thursday 7th Jul 2005.

Hundreds of travellers were evacuated from Brighton station after a suspicious package was found. It was later blown up in a controlled explosion.

Brighton station was evacuated at 11.20am after a large black briefcase was found by the telephone boxes on the station forecourt sparking a security alert.

People were sent out by the back of the station into New England Street and the station and all surrounding roads were cordoned off while British Transport Police investigated.

Thameslink cancelled all services in and out of Brighton. Some trains operated by Southern continued to run but only to Preston Park.

Many commuters had already been left stranded after mainline train services across the South-East were halted in the wake of the series of explosions in London.

Passengers arriving from London Victoria spoke of panic and confusion in the capital. Zoe Partington, who had travelled through London from Shropshire, said: "I arrived at Euston to go on the Tube. Ticket barriers were down so we boarded the train.

"It was stopped at Green Park and we were all evacuated. It was impossible to get a cab so I walked to Victoria. There were all sorts of rumours about terrorist attacks and people panicking. I am staying in Brighton overnight to feel safe."

Winnie Alwazzan, from Houston, America, was travelling to Brighton as part of a fortnight's holiday with her husband and three children. She said: "I cannot believe this has happened on our holiday but we will not let them ruin it. It will not stop us travelling by train."

Helen Rodger, 23, of Lewes Road, Brighton, said: "One passenger on the train had a laptop and looked up what was happening. When we heard about the possibility of bombs we were terrified. It is a relief to be back in Brighton safe."

Journalist Linda Harrison, 32, who commutes to London from Preston Park, said: "There is tension in the air, nobody knows what is going on. It is all very worrying. Offices are virtually empty because people using the Underground cannot get in and everybody is having difficulties getting a mobile phone signal."

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