Platforms 24 and 25 at Central Station are now reopen after being evacuated following reports of a train being sprayed by youths. The closure affected access to the Eastern Suburbs and Illawarra line, leading to a difficult journey home for thousands of commuters.
Access to Central Station via the Devonshire Street tunnel was also blocked for a second time this afternoon while a special fire unit investigated the presence of potentially hazardous aerosol chemicals.
Commuter Manfred Hanley said he witnessed four young men being taken off a southbound train by police before the train and platform were evacuated.
"First I saw the kids running through [the train at Town Hall station] four of them, just making a lot of noise. Under a minute after that, all the people in the foyer behind just started coughing," he said.
They then sprayed people on the train using aerosol cans, he said.
“That carried on all the way until we got to Central...[then] police came on, took the four guys off to interview them."
NSW Police confirmed four males were arrested in connection with both the Devonshire tunnel and train incidents. Police were told that after the tunnel incident, the four men took a train to Martin Place and returned a short time later to Central, where they were arrested.
Two of the men are aged 18 while the other two are 19, police said.
The Transport Management Centre is advising Illawarra and South Coast line passengers to allow extra travel time.
Four males arrested at Central Railway Station after incidents at Devonshire St Pedestrian Tunnel. Inquiries continuing. — NSW Police (@nswpolice) July 25, 2014
Some said people started coughing on a train after young kids used spray cans on a train. It's the Eastern Subs line evacuated — Jake Saulwick (@JakeSaulwick) July 25, 2014
Another Syd Trains staffer says theres been a gas leak in the tunnel. Staff doing great job directing ppl, not sure what has happened tho — Jake Saulwick (@JakeSaulwick) July 25, 2014
NSW Fire and Rescue acting superintendent Josh Turner said a hazardous material squad was initially dispatched after reports of youths spraying aerosol cans in the Devonshire Street tunnel, which links Central Station and Railway Square.
"Some passengers walking through there have complained of some eye irritants," he said.
The team set up special air testing equipment inside the tunnel to determine if a harmful substance was present. The tunnel was then reopened at about 4.30pm, Mr Turner said.
"About 4.30pm atmospheric testing showed no traces of any elements dangerous to the public and fire rescue crews allowed [state rail] to reopen the tunnel.
“There was obviously something released within the tunnel… that’s caused a small amount of irritation due to the confined space.”
But state rail authorities later announced the tunnel was closed again just minutes later due to an "emergency service investigation". Passengers were instructed to use the northern and western forecourt entrances to access the station.
Some pedestrians were assessed on site by parademics after complaining of minor irritation, but none required further medical attention.
- with Jacob Saulwick
