October 5, 1999
Web posted at: 4:10 a.m. EDT (0810 GMT)

LONDON (CNN) -- Two trains collided on Tuesday near London's Paddington Station, CNN has confirmed. Many injuries were reported. Fire broke out after the crash, witnesses said.

One train was traveling into London, the other was leaving, according to authorities. The second train was believed headed towards Wales. Police said there were walking wounded at the scene, CNN's Nic Robertson reported from London.

At least 70 firefighters were at the scene. A number of passengers were reported trapped in the wreckage, and one of the cars overturned, authorities said. About eight cars were reported damaged.

A Reuters journalist who was on one of the trains said a Great Western train from Didcot Parkway, west of London, had collided with the second train about 4 kilometers west of the busy central London station.

A Transport police spokesman said: "We believe there are numerous casualties but we don't know how many."

A spokeswoman for London fire brigade confirmed an accident had taken place during the busy morning rush hour, adding: "We're going barmy in here."

Train service was disrupted after the accident. No further details were immediately available.

Reuters contributed to this report.