A Dutch metro train was saved from disaster when it smashed through a safety barrier but was prevented from plummeting into water by a sculpture of a whale tail.

The driver of the train, who was the only person on board, was unharmed in the incident which happened just after midnight at Spijkenisse, near the port city of Rotterdam.

The front carriage was left hanging 10 metres (30 feet) above the water, propped up only by the giant silver-coloured sculpture.

“Because of the whale’s tail the driver actually was saved, it’s incredible.” Carly Gorter of the Rijnmond regional safety authority told reporters.

He said the driver was later held for questioning and the cause of the crash was still being investigated.

The sculpture was built about 20 years ago. It features two large whale tails poking out of the water, one of which saved the train.

A team of experts, including the architect of the sculpture, was on site to work out how to safely remove the train.

– theweek.co.uk