Concerns have been raised after a moving train was hit by a projectile object just a week after BBC One drama 'Sherwood' depicted a train being hit by an arrow shot from a bow in the exact same location. Police are now investigating the incident near Newstead station, but comparisons to the BBC One series are already being drawn.
Councillor Dave Hennigan, who represents Sutton Central and New Cross for the Ashfield Independents, was on the train at the time. He recalled the train coming to a stop before passengers were alerted to what had just happened.
He told Nottinghamshire Live it was evident straight away which passengers had watched the hit TV show as they began to notice the eerie similarities. He said: "Some passengers including myself were disturbed by the coincidental nature of the attack on the train.
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"It was so similar to BBC drama, Sherwood, and was in the exact location at a similar time of the day. Fortunately no one was injured. It could easily have been different.
“The driver and his staff were a great credit to East Midlands Trains. They were calm and professional and worked with the British Transport Police on their arrival to investigate. If this was just a coincidence, it was an ridiculous one at that.
"My worry is that people are copying what they have seen on TV as it just seems to be such a coincidence. It's bizarre for the exact thing to happen exactly a week later on the same line at the same station."
Pictures from the scene show the driver's cab window shattered. What exactly was launched at the train is not yet known.
In episode two of Sherwood, which aired a week ago, a similar incident occurs. The 'Great Midlands Trains' driver disembarks to see what just hit his driver's side window, before picking up an arrow which had been shot from a bow by Scott Rowley (played by Adam Hugill) who was out hunting in the woods and police investigators are soon alerted to the incident.
Sherwood is based on the real-life murders that took place in 2004 in Ashfield, Nottinghamshire, where the screenwriter James Graham grew up. Two people were murdered, one with a crossbow, near Annesley Woodhouse, shaking locals and the wider community at the time.
A British Transport Police (BTP) spokeswoman said: "BTP received a report of an object hitting a moving train near Newstead station at 11.50am today (20 June).
"The window of the rear cab was shattered, and thankfully no one on board sustained any injuries. The train is now being held nearby while officers carry out enquiries."
A spokesperson from East Midlands Railway added: "British Transport Police received a report of an object hitting a moving train near Newstead station at 11.50am today. The window of the rear cab was shattered, and thankfully no one on board sustained any injuries.
"The train is now being held nearby while officers carry out enquiries."
Nottinghamshire Police says the incident is being dealt with by the BTP. The BBC has also been contacted for comment.
