Two people were being questioned yesterday after a train crashed into a car deliberately abandoned on a crossing on the Belfast-Coleraine line.
The men, who were spotted by the driver at Station Road, near the crossing close to the north Antrim village of Dunloy, were arrested by detectives.
Police praised the driver's skills for helping to save the lives of 30 passengers on board. Even though he hit the Vauxhall Astra and carried it up the track for 450 yards, he managed to keep the train on the line.
Police said two men who left the car stood and watched the crash before running off. It is understood the vehicle had not been stolen. None of those on the train was hurt, but police are treating the incident as attempted murder. Det Insp Nick McCaw said: "It was down to the driver's expertise that we have possibly avoided a catastrophe."
The train-driver, from Derry, who was left deeply traumatised, has not been identified. He had just rounded a bend when he spotted the car, with just seconds to spare.
The Astra had been abandoned on the track with its rear end facing the train.
The driver got a glancing view of two men standing beside the crossing before they ran off as he struggled to keep control and prevent his engine and four carriages going down a 20ft embankment. - (PA)