BLACKBURN rail commuters were caught up in a police incident yesterday after a man aboard a train repeatedly told passengers that he wanted to "sacrifice them to God".

Officers were called to Manchester Victoria at 8.30am following the incident aboard the 8.08 Blackburn to Manchester Victoria service.

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A witness, who didn’t wish to be named, said she’d held the hands of other passengers during the incident, which she described as "terrifying".

“A man on the train was preaching to us all and saying he wanted to sacrifice us to God and that it would be an honour, not a punishment,” she said.

“People were a bit scared and upset but he didn’t hurt anyone. The train staff and guards dealt with it in the end.”

Police attended Manchester Victoria but found the man had already left.

A British Transport Police spokesman confirmed: “We were called to Manchester Victoria station at 8.30am on Tuesday, 9 February following reports of a person acting suspiciously on board the 8.08 service from Blackburn to Manchester Victoria.

“Officers attended but the passenger had already left the train before they arrived. They spoke to a member of on-board staff who had spoken to the man and found everything to be in order.

“No complaints were made and no further action was taken.

“We would like to thank passengers for reporting the matter and remind anyone travelling to remain vigilant and report anything suspicious, no matter how small, on 0800 40 50 40 or by texting 61016.”