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DISGRUNTLED commuters risked their lives jumping off stranded trains to walk alongside live tracks in a frustrated bid to get home after being trapped for three hours.

Passengers fled their packed trains as they were stuck in carriages with overflowing toilets, without heating or lighting, and some panicked as they needed to get home to take medication.

Passengers who were stuck in railway carriages for up to three hours in Lewisham jumped off their trains
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Passengers who were stuck in railway carriages for up to three hours in Lewisham jumped off their trainsCredit: Luke Harvey
The commuters walked alongside LIVE railtracks in a bid to get home, as conditions in their carriages became unbearable
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The commuters walked alongside LIVE railtracks in a bid to get home, as conditions in their carriages became unbearableCredit: Nina Bevan / Twitter
Commuters being helped from a train near Lewisham station in south London
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Commuters being helped from a train near Lewisham station in south LondonCredit: PA:Press Association

Southeastern rail services insisted the passengers could have been killed on the live tracks, and urged passengers to remain on board.

Southeastern tweeted: "We know it's difficult and really unpleasant on board the trains but you're safer remaining on board."

Network Rail claimed it had to urgently turn off the track's power supplies to "stop the passengers from being killed."

British Transport police said it had "all available officers and emergency response teams deployed to help evacuate passengers on the trapped trains in the Lewisham and surrounding areas."

Fed-up commuters jump off trains at Lewisham after being stuck in packed carriages for more than three hours with no lighting or heating
Emergency workers at Lewisham station after passengers frustrated by delays jumped from trains
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Emergency workers at Lewisham station after passengers frustrated by delays jumped from trainsCredit: PA:Press Association
Emergency response teams helped to evacuate passengers off the trapped trains
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 Emergency response teams helped to evacuate passengers off the trapped trainsCredit: London Ambulance HART / Twitter
One passenger pushed the emergency button, and several people followed suit
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One passenger pushed the emergency button, and several people followed suitCredit: PA:Press Association
Police and fire service were drafted in after people were filmed leaping onto the tracks
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Police and fire service were drafted in after people were filmed leaping onto the tracksCredit: Adam Reardon

The disturbing scenes came after thousands of commuters were evacuated from London's Euston station due to a fire in the basement.

Emerging social media images showed stranded travellers standing outside in freezing conditions as they waited for the all clear.

Hundreds of commuters wait in freezing temperatures outside Euston station
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Hundreds of commuters wait in freezing temperatures outside Euston station

Emergency services scrambled to the scene and several fire engines were deployed, according to social media reports.

The London Fire Brigade said 3,000 people were evacuated from the station, which has now been reopened.

A National Rail spokesman said: "The station has been evacuated due to a small fire in the basement.

"Fire brigade is on scene, we hope to open again very shortly. Please be patient with staff as they respond to the incident."

London Fire Brigade said around 3,000 people were evacuated
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London Fire Brigade said around 3,000 people were evacuatedCredit: Dylan from so-sure

BTP Euston said: "Euston will be re-opened very shortly. Thank you for your continued patience even though it's very cold."

One commuter took to Twitter to confirm her safety, but added she was "scared" as thousands flocked after hearing a fire alarm.

Shadow Foreign Secretary Emily Thornberry who was caught up in the evacuation tweeted: "Was on my way to Watford for a Labour fundraiser when Euston is evacuated. May be a bit late!"

Travellers had tried to get home early before Storm Emma brought another bout transport chaos.

Amid 90mph gusts and blizzards bringing the UK's rail services to a standstill, Southern Rail and Great Northern Rail tweeted this afternoon: "We are advising passengers to complete your journey BEFORE 15.00 today."

At 5pm the Bakerloo, Jubilee, London Overground and Metropolitan lines were part suspended with delays.

Southeastern Railway have said frustrated commuters are jumping off stranded trains between London and Kent, as power remains shut off.

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