By: Victor Tang
One pet tortoise ended on a journey he could never have predicted last week. Four trains were delayed after the reptile was spotted on the tracks. Services between Ascot in Berkshire and Bagshot in Surrey were disrupted at about 6 pm on Friday when a train driver made the strange discovery.
The tortoise, named Solomon, was rescued by engineers who found him. They carried him, and he even got to get a fun ride on the train.
“He has been retrieved and is now on his way home,” South Western Railway said.
The Network Rail and SWR staff moved the tortoise to a position of safety on the platform, including a short ride on the train itself. Its owner collected it from the station later that evening, and, as far as we know, the tortoise was unharmed. Services in the area returned to normal by about 7 pm.
Despite Solomon coming out of trouble, people have been warned by people to keep an eye on their pets.
“While we are delighted that this story has a happy ending and can reassure passengers that our’ everyone home safe, everyday’ ambitions extend to pets, we must remind everyone that the railway is dangerous,” said a spokesperson from Network Rail.
Now, we also ask that our neighbors ensure their fencing is secure to prevent human or animal incursions into the track.
Overall, people should care for their pets so they don’t get lost.