PART of the Merseyrail network will be closed for days as an investigation into the Liverpool train derailment gets under way.
The Wirral loopline which connects the city centre's under-ground stations is shut after the packed commuter train derailed last night, trapping 119 passengers inside.
Today, thousands of passengers were walking between James Street and Lime Street stations and a Merseyrail spokesman confirmed: "The line is out until further notice."
Officers from the new Rail Accident Investigation Branch were on site today but it is believed a mechanical defect caused the West Kirby line train to shudder to a stop 300m from Central Station just before 6pm.
A major rescue operation was carried out at Central Station to lead passenges to safety from the 200ft deep tunnel, between Central station and Lime Street.
Police, firefighters and paramedics rushed to Central Station, Ranelagh Street, to help rescue trapped commuters.
A guard on the train was taken to hospital with a neck injury and two elderly passengers suffered shock.
The train was travelling at 20mph but Alex McDougal, of Merseyside Fire and Rescue, said there would have been many more injuries if it had been any faster.
Commuters had to stay inside the carriages for more than an hour.
Mary Rietdyk-Johnson, 42, from West Derby, said: "We were travelling from Lime Street when the train went crazy. We heard a loud screeching noise and the carriage started to jolt.
"It was very scary and it looked like the train might tip over. We were frightened that the train was going to crash.
"The train was full but everybody stayed calm and the emergency services were brilliant."
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