Train passengers and locals told of ‘chaos’ after emergency services descended on Greek Street in Stockport following reports of an item police investigated as a potential ‘device’
An incident at a UK train station sparked massive delays today after police halted rail traffic to respond to a “suspicious item” – that turned out to be an empty suitcase.
Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) said it was called to Greek Street in Stockport, Greater Manchester, this evening with Explosive Ordnance Disposal Units in tow following reports of a “suspicious item” near Stockport Station. Witnesses at the scene said several homes in the vicinity were evacuated, with Greek Street, Shaw Heath and Mercian Way all closed off just before 6pm.
But massive emergency response, which the service said included two fire engines and a technical rescue unit, was all for nought, with a suitcase at the centre of concerns turning out to have been empty the entire time.
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GMFRS said in a statement following calls this evening that Greater Manchester Police and Network Rail were also in attendance, with the former eventually finding the suitcase posed no threat. A spokesperson for GMP said cordons were lifted after what was believed to be a “device” was examined.
They said: “Along with the EOD and other emergency services, we have been dealing with an incident on Greek Street in Stockport this evening after reports of a ‘suspicious’ item on a bridge.
“Fortunately, the ‘device’ has been examined and found to be an empty suitcase, and the cordons are being lifted. Thanks for everyone’s patience.” The emergency response had seen much of the station and its surrounding area almost completely shut down, with a “do not travel” warning issued and train passengers saying they were kept on board during the incident.
One passenger aboard an Avanti service travelling from Euston to Manchester Piccadilly said the disruption meant the train missed all stops between Stoke-on-Trent and the terminal station.
They said: “I am on the 18:53 from Euston to Manchester Piccadilly. The train announcer said that the route was closed by the Army Reserve Centre and that the bomb squad was at the scene. They had to wait for everyone to be evacuated before they could send the robot on.”
Others impacted by the disruption told of “chaos” after emergency services descended on the scene, with Liam Smith, who was in Stockport Interchange, saying people were “running” as police “told people to evacuate”.
He said: “I was told I had to evacuate Stockport bus interchange and it was chaos with people running,” he said. “I was told had to leave immediately. There was approximately 50 of us running out of the interchange, followed by the police. There was lots of panic and hurry.”
