A 200m cordon was erected with Stockport train station evacuated after a suitcase was found abandoned and sparked chaos
Bomb disposal units at the scene(Image: Manchester Evening News)
Passengers were left trapped on trains with a railway station evacuated after bomb disposal teams rushed to the centre of Stockport on Tuesday (November 4).
Greater Manchester Police, fire crews and Explosive Ordnance Disposal units (EOD) were alerted to a ‘suspicious item’ on a footbridge over the railway line near Greek Street shortly before 6pm.
Officers erected a 200m cordon while emergency services worked at the scene. The station was emptied, along with nearby Stockport Interchange.
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An abandoned suitcase had been left on the footbridge which sparked concern and a major emergency services presence. People told of scenes of ‘chaos’ as they were evacuated from the local area.
Fire crews and paramedics were also in attendance while all services inside the station were suspended. All trains were temporarily halted, with other services stopped on the line on approach to Stockport.
The area was cordoned off for around three hours(Image: GMFRS)
One man, Liam Smith, was in Stockport Interchange when the police came in and ‘told people to evacuate’ shortly after 6pm.
The station, off Wellington Road South, was reportedly cleared as emergency crews attended the incident on the footbridge over Stockport railway station.
People are also understood to have been ‘sheltering’ in the nearby Army Reserve Centre, on Armoury Street, as well as the nearby Armoury Pub after being advised to do so by the bomb disposal team.
Police, fire crews and bomb disposal units were called to the scene(Image: Manchester Evening News)
“I was told I had to evacuate Stockport bus interchange and it was chaos with people running,” Liam 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.”
Passenger Daniel Fitton, on board a service to Piccadilly, told of how the train he was on suddenly stopped shortly after Wilmslow.
“We got past Wilmslow and going towards Stockport when the train stopped in the pitch black,” he explained.
Trains were suddenly halted on the line(Image: Daniel Fitton)
“We then got the train manager on the radio saying there was a potential bomb threat, we wouldn’t be able to proceed through Stockport and to expect a long delay.
“After that he came back on and said it was a suspicious package on a bridge, and that we would be going back towards Wilmslow.”
A large cordon remained in place for around three hours. ‘Do not travel’ warnings were also issued with people urged to avoid the area amid the emergency response.
Earlier in the evening, a spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) said, “Just before 6pm this evening (November 4), firefighters were called to reports of a suspicious item on Greek Street in Stockport.
“Two fire engines from Stockport and Whitehill fire stations, as well as the technical rescue unit from Ashton fire station, are currently at the scene where a suitcase has been left on the footbridge by Stockport railway station.
“Firefighters are working with Greater Manchester Police and Network Rail to make the area safe as they await the arrival of the bomb disposal unit. There is currently a 200m cordon around the scene and trains to and from Stockport station have been halted until further notice.”
The incident was later deemed not to be a threat(Image: Manchester Evening News)
There were reports nearby homes on Greek Street were also ‘evacuated’ due to the incident.
National Rail confirmed all lines were blocked and as a result trains running through Stockport could be cancelled, with disruption expected to continue throughout the evening.
In an update at 9pm, Greater Manchester Police confirmed the incident had been stood down, with the railway line later reopening in both directions.
The bag was later found to be an empty suitcase which posed no threat.
A force spokesperson 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.”