Emu on the tracks causes morning rail disruption near Gilberdyke

A large flightless bird caused an unusual interruption to rail services in East Yorkshire after straying onto the tracks, prompting a temporary halt to trains.

The incident unfolded early in the morning when the driver of a Hull to Liverpool passenger service alerted controllers to the presence of an emu on the railway near Oxmardyke level crossing, close to Gilberdyke. The sighting was reported shortly after 08:00 GMT, triggering safety procedures.

Network Rail confirmed that staff were dispatched to the area and were able to track down the animal. The emu was subsequently removed from the railway without injury, allowing services to begin recovering later in the morning.

Network Rail said:

"Normal service resumed at 10.14am but there were some changes to services and we're sorry to anyone whose journey was affected. Contact has been made with the owners, who confirmed the animal was missing from their field."

Image: Network Rail