Lives were put at risk after rush hour delays caused severe overcrowding at Benfleet station, it was claimed.

Stranded commuters were packed nine deep on the platform at c2c's busiest station after a train leaving Shoebury broke down early yesterday (Monday), leading to the cancellation of several services.

Rail giant c2c was even forced to close the station for five minutes to ease the pressure but a spokesman today insisted that safety was never compromised.

Commuter Alan Hurren of Hill Road, Benfleet, said he gave up his journey into London yesterday morning because the station was so packed.

Mr Hurren said: "There were so many people on the platform, I thought somebody was going to get pushed onto the track.

"There were trains cancelled with no explanation and when one eventually turned up it was only four carriages long.

"I don't know why it bothered to stop at the station because no-one could get on it as it was already packed.

"There were about 20 people standing in the guard's box because there was no room on the platform.

Mr Hurren eventually gave up his attempt to get to work and decided to travel later in the morning.

Back at home he spent the morning trying to voice his safety fears to the authorities.

He telephoned Essex Police, British Transport Police, the Strategic Rail Authority and the Health and Safety Executive.

Mr Hurren said: "Nobody was interested at all. There are so many quangos and organisations involved in the railway but nobody wants to know."

A spokesman for c2c said: "There was some concern about overcrowding but there was no danger to the public.

"The gates were closed to stop more people going on the platform. The train cancellations had a knock-on effect but the staff were in control of the situation."

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.