A FEMALE train driver was allegedly assaulted by a passenger because the service had to be terminated causing chaos for waiting rail passengers.

The driver was forced to stop the service because another passenger became ill on the train, making her working conditions unbearable, just after 11pm at Upminster train station on Wednesday.

She was then allegedly assaulted by another female passenger and train staff called the British Transport Police to the station.

According to disgruntled passengers up to 200 people were left waiting on the platform without any information as the train staff were caught up in trying to sort out the assault.

c2c have defended their position by saying no loudspeaker announcements could be put out because the lateness would have disturbed neighbours and the staff had to deal with the police after the alleged assault.

Sandra and Steve Larkins from Benfleet were on the train trying to get home and said that the train was first delayed and said she needed help and it was terminated.

Mrs Larkin, 64, of Boyce Green, said: “We were sitting on the first coach but nearer the back and we heard that someone had been sick but we couldn’t see anything from where we were sitting.

“We were then told to get off the train and were left in the freezing cold with lots of other passengers who had no idea what was going on.

“The staff didn’t tell us anything and there didn’t seem to be any managers on duty telling passengers what was going on.

“We had to wait until the next train and we arrived home about 45 minutes later than we expected and we spent 30 minutes waiting on the platform. It was annoying not knowing what was going on and the driver and other passengers were visibly angry.”

Chris Atkinson, a spokesman for c2c, said: “We apologise for the inconvenience caused to passengers last night, caused by the actions of one passenger which resulted in the driver’s working conditions becoming unbearable.

“This delay was exacerbated because c2c had to call the British Transport Police following an alleged assault against two members of our staff by another passenger, which prevented the empty train from being removed and our service resuming.

“Unfortunately we were unable to keep our passengers fully updated on developments, as platform staff were required to deal with the alleged assault, and we cannot make platform announcements after 10pm because of the disturbance it would cause local residents.”