POTENTIAL disaster was averted on Thursday (June 18) as a West Somerset Railway (WSR) train was flagged down by passers-by just in time to stop before reaching a bridge which had been struck by a lorry moments earlier.

The Watersmeet bridge over the B3224 near its junction with the A358, between Combe Florey and Bishops Lydeard, was hit just after the WSR’s 10.15 am service had left Bishops Lydeard Station nearly a mile away.

The Free Press understands people travelling behind a low-loader lorry which was carrying a mini digger saw the load fall and hit the cast iron bridge, which is on an original section of the old railway branch line.

The motorists saw an approaching train and were quickly able to attract the attention of the train driver sufficiently for him to be alarmed and come to a halt.

The lorry was using the B3224 as a diversion because of a rod closure near Raleghs Cross, on the Brendon Hills.

A WSR spokesperson said: “As a precaution, we immediately suspended services while the bridge was assessed.

“While the bridge is still under assessment, no services will be able to run over the bridge which is located between Bishops Lydeard and Crowcombe Heathfield.

“However, we will be running a diesel service between Minehead and Crowcombe Heathfield stations.

“If you have tickets booked for our fish and chip and cream tea special today, we have your food prepared and this will be served to you stationary at Bishops Lydeard.

“We will update with further information as and when available.

“We thank you in advance for your understanding and apologise for any inconvenience caused.”