Tui holidaymakers escape disaster after train derails 'near sheer drop' on 'dream' trip to Caribbean

Among those affected were a couple from Stoke-on-Trent who were passengers on the scenic railway as part of their Tui Marella cruise holiday.

No serious injuries were reported in the derailment, which led to an emergency evacuation of all passengers.

Roy Simpson, who is in his 60s, described how the tourist train suddenly stopped before rolling backwards.

He recalled: "The train went further back where workmen were on line. They all had to run.

"Then suddenly a carriage came off the line and the train was tilting. We had just gone over a bridge with a sheer drop both sides. It was lucky we had passed that area."

The passengers were eventually able to evacuate the derailed train safely.

Simpson reported that there was no communication from staff during the incident.

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"We had no messages from any of the staff at all. No one asked if we were okay," he said.

The situation was complicated by the train blocking a road, which prompted police attendance.

Simpson and his partner Christine had paid £100 each for the excursion through Tui.

The holiday company has since refunded the cost of their trip.

According to the St Kitts-Nevis Times, the derailment was believed to have been caused by track issues that had been worsened by heavy rainfall.

Local authorities launched an immediate investigation into the incident.

A passenger who was aboard the train wrote on social media: "I was on this train. Some injuries but nothing serious."

They added: "Train stopped as engine cut out and then rolled back for some reason. We are awaiting the outcome of the investigation."