Seven cows have been killed by trains travelling through Royal Wootton Bassett this morning.
The herd were struck by two Great Western Railway trains at around 11am, damaging the windscreen and nose cone of one.
At midday, a dozen Network Rail staff could be seen walking the line clearing the dead animals as the farmer and a vet worked on several animals who had suffered injuries but had not died.
Passengers on the damaged train have been evacuated.
Disruption to train services is expected until 6pm.
A GWR spokesperson said: “Cows on the line in the West Swindon area have closed the lines between Swindon and Chippenham and between Swindon and Bristol Parkway in both directions.
”At Present, trains are not calling at Chippenham station due to trains taking diversionary routes. Replacement road transport is in operation to / from Chippenham station. Customers are advised to make themselves known to platform staff.”
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