Northern has released images of the shocking injuries sustained by a driver whose train window was shattered by a brick thrown by vandals in Salford.
The images have been released after experienced train driver Ian Birch – who works for the rail provider at the company’s base in Blackburn – was left bloodied with cuts to his face after the shocking incident, which happened as the train travelled at 70mph towards Clifton in Swinton on Friday 4 February at around 10pm.
The brick thrown by vandals smashed the windscreen of the train in the process, which caused shards of glass to hit Mr Birch in the face.
Miraculously, Mr Birch was able to bring the train to a halt safely.
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On Friday, at around 10pm someone threw bricks at one of our trains, near Clifton, hitting the window directly in front of our driver causing shards of glass to hit our driver and lead to them being taken to hospital. This is simply not acceptable and puts many lives at risk ‼️ pic.twitter.com/SZZqus31H6
He was taken to hospital for treatment after the incident, but has since praised the response of a doctor travelling on-board who was able to administer immediate first aid to him.
Speaking on the aftermath of the incident, Chris Jackson – Regional Director at Northern – said: “It’s hard to believe that anyone would put the safety of others at risk by such reckless behaviour [and] the consequences of a brick hitting a fast-moving train are potentially devastating.
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“This was a shocking incident that could have had fatal consequences.”
While Mr Birch has now returned to work, despite multiple appeals for information from Northern and British Transport Police, no arrests have yet been made.
“I want the people who did this to see the impact of their actions,” Mr Birch explained.
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“Someone knows who threw that brick and I urge them to come forward to help ensure the person responsible doesn’t have the chance to endanger more lives with their reckless behaviour.”
Greater Manchester public urged to help get people ‘off the streets and on their feet’ before Christmas
Emily Sergeant
Locals are being urged to help get hundreds of people “off the streets and back on their feet” this festive season.
As the temperatures told colder by the day, and Christmas creeps closer and closer, Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity is bringing back ‘1000 Beds for Christmas’, and the massively-important initiative is aiming to provide 1,000 nights of accommodation to people at risk of homelessness before the big day arrives.
Forming part of the ongoing ‘A Bed Every Night’ scheme, this festive fundraising mission is designed to provide food, shelter, warmth, and dedicated vital wrap-around support for those who need it most.
The charity says it wants to build on the “incredible success of 2023”, which raised more than £55,000 and provided 1,800 nights of accommodation.
Stockport-based property finance specialists, Together – which has supported the campaign for the last two years – has, once again, generously pledged to match every public donation for the first £20,000 raised.
Unfamiliar with the ‘A Bed Every Night’ scheme? Since 2017, when rough sleeping peaked, the initiative has helped ensure a significantly-higher rate of reduction in the numbers of people facing a night on streets in Greater Manchester than seen nationally.
The landmark scheme has given people the chance to rebuild their lives, while also giving them access to key services and opportunities that allows them to stay off the streets for good.
Despite the scheme’s recent success, organisations across Greater Manchester are under “a huge amount of pressure” to meet the demand for their services this winter, and given the current economic outlook, household budgets will continue to be squeezed – leaving people on the sharp end of inequality and poverty.
Emily Sergeant -
5th April 2022 
