EIGHT people were taken to hospital after being cut down by a hail of flying rocks when a train shed part of its load between Starcross and Teignmouth in 1989.

Stones the size of tennis balls flew like bullets from the goods wagon along the seven-mile stretch of track in the busy mid summer.

One of 13 wagons on the goods train sprayed its entire load of ballast along the seawall and beaches, forcing terrified holidaymakers to run for cover.

Passers by were mown down and parked vehicles damaged by the hail of sharp, flint like missiles.

The train was heading towards Newton Abbot when flaps on one of the trucks are believed to have worked loose.

Stones flew off in all directions, and eye witnesses said it was amazing nobody was killed.

Most of the mayhem occurred at Dawlish.

Pedestrians on the seawall at Teignmouth were also hit, and parked vehicles suffering smashed windscreen and headlights and body damage.

The train driver was not aware of the havoc being caused in his wake until he stopped at Teignmouth and the wagon was re-secured.

Several eye witnesses claimed the train seemed to be travelling at an excessive speed, but this was denied by British Rail which launched a major investigation.

Marion Wannell was walking her dog along Marine Parade, Dawlish, when she noticed the train go past at ‘great speed’.

‘It looked like a dust storm coming from it. I was struck on the side by a stone, but it was only a bruise.’

Shop owner Sheila Simmons was standing outside her ice cream parlour in Piermont Place when she saw the train rush past.

‘It seemed as if a wall dust was coming from it.

‘I would estimate it was going as fast as an inter-city express, which is surprising as goods train usually go much slower through the station.’

Another trader Karen Simcox was serving at her takeaway on the seaward side of the line, and was struck by a stone, but not badly injured.

‘Some of the stones were were up to five inches across and several flew into the kiosk. The train was going so fast and there was a terrible noise.

‘It was terrifying and people were frightened to death. People cleared the beach in no time because they did know just what was going on.

‘I saw one woman with blood coming from her head and a towel wrapped around it.’

Holidaymaker Gerry Cousins said he went up to the seawall to watch the trains go past.

‘This one went like a bat out of hell. I was hit by two of the stones either side of the stomach – they were spewing out as if a flap had been left open.’

Little Hannah Metcalfe was also struck by a rock, but her mum Pat said she was more shocked than hurt.

British Rail’s area manager, John Heaton, was quickly on the scene at Dawlish Station, and promised a full inquiry into what went wrong.

‘It looks like a one off, but we are treating this as a serious incident and extend our apologies to all those who were struck or had their vehicles damage.’

Referring to allegations that the train had been travelling too fast, he said passenger trains were restricted to 60mph through Dawlish, and good strains could only travel at 50mph. The train involved was not going any faster he maintained.

Dawlish Hospital manager Ken Dainton confirmed that eight people – some locals and some on holiday – had been treated. Injuries were confirmed to cuts and bruises and nobody had been badly hurt.