A pregnant woman spoke for the first time today of her terrifying ordeal on board the Tube train which derailed at Chancery Lane.

Lauren Smeeth, 22, from Southend, was on her way to see the Star Trek exhibition in Hyde Park with boyfriend Simon Armstrong, 24, and his stepdad Ron, from Kipling Avenue, Tilbury, when the crash happened.

Survivors - Lauren Smeeth and Simon Armstrong were in the Chantry Way tube crash Picture: ROB BROWNE

Chaos is expected on the underground for several weeks as an investigation is carried out.

Lauren said: "It went pitch black, started shuddering, and there was a big bang.

"I heard glass smashing around me and then Simon and his stepdad grabbed hold of me. The next thing I knew there was dust everywhere which we thought was smoke.

"We just ran as fast as we could. I thought it might be an explosion next and really thought I was going to die."

Published Tuesday, January 28, 2003

Brought to you by the Evening Echo