Queensland Police have charged a man for allegedly damaging overhead power lines and a moving train on the railway between Helensvale and Nerang stations, causing commuter chaos on July 13.
Police charged a 22-year-old man with wilful damage in relation to the incident, which left thousands of passengers stranded on their way to the Gold Coast-Manly NRL match in Robina, on the Gold Coast.
“It will be alleged the 22-year-old Helensvale man caused damage to overhead rail power lines situated between the Helensvale and Nerang train stations,” Queensland Police said on Tuesday.
“This has resulted in a southbound train coming in to contact with the affected section of the power lines causing significant damage to the train.”
Queensland Rail suspended services along the line, in both directions, throughout the night of July 13, as repairs took place. Service returned for the morning peak on July 14, and were cancelled again while repairs continued, until around 3pm.
Police said the man was charged with two counts of wilful damage and one count of endangering the safe use of vehicles and related transport infrastructure.
He appeared in the Southport Magistrates Court on Tuesday, and was remanded in custody until a further appearance in September.
Police and Queensland Rail investigations are continuing.