Train Operator First Great Western is offering a £5,000 reward after what is believed to be a large brick smashed through the driver's cab window of a high speed train at Taplow station, Berkshire.

At around 19.45 on Thursday, 8 February 2007, the 19.15 London Paddington to Swansea service was passing through the station when the object was thrown from an overbridge. It smashed through the driver's window, showering him with glass. Although he was uninjured, the driver was unable to continue the journey and was relieved at Maidenhead. The train was taken out of service and moved to a depot at Old Oak Common near London Paddington.

Passengers were detrained at Maidenhead and caught the next available service some 15 minutes later.

Alison Forster, Managing Director of First Great Western, said: "This is an appalling act of vandalism that could have caused serious injury or worse. It is very important that the people who did this are brought quickly to justice."
British Transport Police are interviewing possible witnesses and checking CCTV in the area. Inspector Steve Betts from BTP Paddington said: "This was a very dangerous incident and a serious crime. BTP and the rail industry invest a lot of time and money in combating this type of route crime where people endanger safety and obstruct trains. It is difficult to fathom the motives of someone who seek thrills by putting someone's life at risk in this way."

Anyone with information on this incident is asked to contact British Transport Police on Freefone 0800 40 50 40. First Great Western is offering a £5,000 reward for information leading to the conviction of those responsible.