Northern is appealing for information after a group of vandals caused “major disruption” and numerous service cancellations by throwing a log at a train travelling at 100mph through Bolton yesterday.
According to train providers Northern and Network rail the incident happened on the Manchester side of Farnworth Tunnel in Bolton just before 6.30pm on Monday, and it resulted in a smashed window and caused a brief fire on the service – which was travelling from Blackpool North to Hazel Grove with more than 100 passengers on-board.
Fortunately no one was hurt in the incident – which is now being investigated by British Transport Police – and everyone was safely evacuated from the train, before it was moved from the scene so that repairs to the railway could take place.
As well as damaging the train, the vandals also wrecked more than 200 metres of the complex web of 25,000 volt overhead electric cable which power trains, as well as the structures and equipment which hold them up.
Network Rail engineers worked throughout the night to get the wires fixed.
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📸These pictures are the reason trains between Bolton and Manchester were severely delayed❌🚆
🚨Vandals threw a log into the path of an oncoming @northernassist train near Farnworth Tunnel last night 😲
— Manchester Piccadilly (@NetworkRailMAN) March 15, 2022
More than 31 other trains were delayed as a result of the incident on Monday evening and into yesterday morning.
Trains were cancelled for hundreds of passengers due to “major disruption”.
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Speaking on the incident and appealing for information, Chris Jackson – Regional Director at Northern – said: “This was totally reckless behaviour by mindless individuals who gave no thought for other people’s safety [and] the consequences of a log hitting a fast-moving train are potentially devastating.
“I urge anyone with information as to the identities of those responsible to contact British Transport Police.”
The incident happened on the Manchester side of Farnworth Tunnel just before 6.30pm on Monday / Credit: Northern
“I’m disgusted by this dangerous and reckless act of vandalism, as the people responsible put the safety of our passengers and colleagues at risk,” added Network Rail’s North West route director, Phil James.
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“They have caused thousands of pounds of damage to the railway infrastructure and significantly disrupted services travelling between Manchester and Bolton.
“We are working closely with the British Transport Police to catch the culprits.”
You can contact British Transport Police by texting 61016 or by calling 0800 40 50 40, or alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
AO Arena are hosting an ‘Evening 4’ Ricky Hatton in memory of the legendary Manchester boxer
Danny Jones
Manchester is set to host a night of remembrance and celebration in honour of the late, great, local boxer, Ricky Hatton.
Coming this summer, the AO Arena – where Hatton enjoyed so many of his iconic moments – will be holding the first-ever ‘Evening4Ricky’ later this year.
Held at the legendary sports and live entertainment venue just in time for summer, we still know very little about what the actual event will entail.
Sharing the news on social media, AO Arena said: “Join us for an unforgettable night of entertainment as Manchester comes together for Evening4Ricky.
“This will be a spectacular, unique celebration of the life, spirit and legacy of one of the city’s most beloved icons – Ricky ‘The Hitman’ Hatton.”
With seats priced at £25, fans are being encouraged to join the early bird sign-up to secure access to discounted tickets.
They go on to add: “Hosted at the legendary AO Arena, home to so many of Ricky’s big fights, featuring a superstar cast of legends from the worlds of boxing, music, comedy and entertainment.”
So, we do at least know there’ll be some famous faces coming along to help make it a memorable Manc moment, just a few months on from the city and beyond uniting for his public funeral procession.
Ricky was beloved not only by the Greater Manchester community but was a popular figure and friend to many in the sporting and showbiz industries.
The homegrown ‘Pride of Hyde‘ tragically left us on 14 September 2025 at the age of just 46, but his passing has once again helped reassert the importance of having more conversations around wellbeing, suicide prevention, and most specifically, men’s mental health.
You can find more information and see how to grab tickets right HERE.
This isn’t the only charitable in memoriam event happening across the region in the coming weeks, either, as Mancs will be gathering to pay tribute to another fellow inspiring sportsman.
Man jailed for stalking, strangling, and raping woman in Manchester
Emily Sergeant
A man has been jailed this week for several offences including rape, strangulation and stalking while living in Manchester.
Jack-Leland Webster – previously Jack Malone – of Cedar Road, Earl Shilton in Leicester, appeared at Manchester Crown Court and was sentenced yesterday (8 April 2026) after being found guilty of rape and strangulation, following pleaded guilty to stalking the victim at a previous hearing.
The incidents took place back in June2024, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) explained, when Webster had accused the victim of cheating with her ex-boyfriend.
The victim had been in communication with her ex after he had reached out to her to let her know he was ‘concerned’ after he found out that Webster had been impersonating him to message the victim and test her loyalty throughout their relationship.
As the victim attempted to exit the flat, Webster blocked the doorways to prevent her from leaving. He then proceeded to get on top of the victim and while he strangled her, said: “Don’t make me kill you. If you do, I’ll have to kill myself so we can be dead together,” before proceeding to sexually assault her.
While on bail, Webster purchased numerous fake social media accounts to follow and contact the victim, as well as her family and her friends, which was in breach of his no contact conditions. On one occasion, the victim was followed by over 100 accounts on a social media platform in a matter of seconds.
During police interviews, Webster denied all charges against him.
When an officer tried to arrange his second interview, Webster was described as being ‘obstructive’ and even told the officer to “pick me up from KFC” and “catch me if you can”.
“Webster showed no remorse throughout the investigation and treated it as a game,” GMP said following his sentencing.
As mentioned, Webster pleaded guilty to stalking before he went to trial, where a jury found him guilty of rape and strangulation. And then Wednesday 8 April 2026 at Manchester Crown Court, he was sentenced tonine years and five months in prison.
He has also been given an indefinite restraining order.
Emily Sergeant -
16th March 2022 
