Dead fox sparks 999 rail alert

Eric Baxter • Published 1 Jul 2009 14:00

A RAILWAY line was closed yesterday after a horrendous stench nearby sparked a 999 alert.

Police officers and specialist dog units were called to the railway line in Gourock to assist British Transport Police in the search after reports of a bad smell.

After a search, a dead fox was found on an embankment near Caledonia Crescent.

A spokesperson for British Transport Police said: 'Officers assisted Strathclyde Police at a lineside location between Fort Matilda and Gourock rail stations after a strong smell was reported in the area.

'The rail line was closed and a search was conducted.

'Animal remains were found and there was no cause for alarm.'

British Transport Police received a report about the strong smell around 10am yesterday.

The railway line was then handed back to Network Rail at around 11.30pm.

Several police officers and the dog branch were at the scene.

The police had to wait until trains were stopped before they could go down to the line.

Network Rail told the Telegraph two services were cancelled in each direction between Gourock and Port Glasgow while the search was carried out.

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This article appeared in Greenock Telegraph 01 Jul 09

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