LONDON, Jan 12: An overweight train passenger caused heavy delays on a busy British rail network after he became stuck underneath a table, a north England train operator said on Saturday.

The man, who was travelling on the 8:53 am (0853 GMT) Scarborough to Manchester Airport, north England, service, was thought to have dozed off and slipped from his seat underneath the table.

When he awoke at Manchester Airport he realized he was stuck beneath the bolted-down table and had to ask for help from train staff.

Several Arriva Trains Northern workers tried to free the stricken passenger but eventually called in the fire service, who took around 45 minutes to remove the table and free the man.

An Arriva spokeswoman said several services were delayed by up to an hour as a result of the incident, which took place on Tuesday.

“We will always endeavour to help any customer who needs assistance. We are happy we could help in this case,” said Arriva’s regional manager David Judson.

The man was not physically injured by his ordeal.—AFP