UPDATE

DOZENS of train passengers faced an emergency evacuation last night as a train came off the rails – seemingly because the engine had fallen out.

A two-carriage train came off the rail at the Olive Mount junction, between Broadgreen station and Wavertree Technology Park, just after 9pm last night.

The Liverpool-bound two-carriage train, which had been travelling from Blackpool, was carrying as many as 50 passengers, all of whom were safely escorted from the sceneby Merseyside Fire and Rescue officers and British Transport Police.

Eyewitnesses reported "thousands of litres of spilled diesel", with one taking a picture of what appeared to be a large engine part lying on the tracks.

Emergency services confirmed the back wheels of the rear carriage had come off the rails, but would not say what might have caused the accident.

Passenger Ashley Drummond said there was a thud before the train started shaking from side to side and then "screeched to a halt".

Mr Drummond, 23, who had been travelling from Blackpool with girlfriend Carla Semple, said: "We didn’t realise what was happening at first.

"A few people panicked because we could smell diesel and there was so much smoke, but the driver came through and explained there wasn’t a chance of an outbreak of fire and told everyone to remain seated.