At least 15 people were injured yesterday, four of them seriously, when a train travelling between Santander and Oviedo left the tracks at Arobes.  All the injured are being treated in hospital.

The causes of the accident, which occurred at 12.25pm between Ozanes and Soto de Dueñas, are being investigated by the technical department of the rail company.

After rescuing the injured, firefighters had to deal with a fuel leak from one of the train's tanks.  Their swift action prevented the fuel from reaching the nearby river Piloña.

According to the emergency services a 46 year-old English woman with extensive facial and head injuries is amongst the seriously injured currently being treated in hospital.

The rail service was replaced by a bus service while the derailed train was removed from the tracks, but normal services resumed at 5.30pm.