Wiltshire Police have issued an update after a car blocked the railway line for 12 hours.
Officers from the Roads Policing Unit were pursuing a silver Vauxhall Insignia after they attempted to stop it in Bradford on Avon on Tuesday morning (17 March).
During the chase at around 2am, the vehicle drove into Station Road in Holt before smashing through multiple gates and driving onto the railway line.
An oncoming freight train was forced to emergency brake after police reported the incident to the control room, who immediately informed the train driver of the obstruction.
Officers were unable to follow due to safety fears, and the three suspects fled the scene. They were arrested in a different car – a Mazda – at around 3am.
The line was closed for 12 hours – reopening following recovery of the car at around 1.30pm.
In a statement, the force said: “Three people have been arrested after a vehicle was abandoned with suspected stolen goods on a railway track near Holt.
“At around 1.30am this morning (17/03) officers on patrol in Bradford-on-Avon were alerted through ANPR to a suspicious vehicle.
“When requested to stop the silver Vauxhall Insignia drove away, forced through multiple railway gates, and drove onto a train line near Holt.
“The occupants decamped, and officers, including dog handlers attempted to track them.
“Suspected stolen property from a recent burglary was located in the vehicle.
“A Mazda was stopped just after 3am in the area and the three occupants were arrested.
“A 19-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving, failing to stop for an officer, going equipped for theft and theft of a pedal cycle.
“A 17-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of failing to stop, dangerous driving, drug driving, going equipped for theft and theft of a pedal cycle.
“An 18-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender and obstructing a police officer.
“All remain in custody for questioning.”
