Thousands of London commuters left stranded in the capital after huge rail disruption were offered free taxis to get home.

South Western Railway (SWR) told passengers they could claim for journeys as far as Exeter, a distance of some 170 miles.

Waterloo station became so crowded on Thursday evening, after a police incident near Woking, that station chiefs were forced to close it.

Thousands of people were caught up in the rail chaos.

Passengers voiced their frustration.

“Been stuck on train for 4 hours, still at Waterloo. Need to get to Gillingham Dorset, how the hell do I do this,” @GrahamT94492392 posted on X, requesting help from SWR.

What do you recommend for someone who’s had 2 trains cancelled and now been on the train at Waterloo without moving for 45 minutes while we wait for a driver?” said @SuanneBraun.

One passenger was stuck at Waterloo from 4.30pm until the evening.

They wrote on X: "Please can you tell me if the line is open yet. I’ve been at Waterloo since 4.30 with so much misinformation please tell me me when any train via Basingstoke ( as I’m going to Eastleigh) may actually leave thanks."

A SWR assistant replied that the line "is still blocked".

By 8pm, the nationalised rail company was offering free taxis to people still stranded in the capital as trains were cancelled or severely delayed.

“Due to disruption between stations, our customers are authorised to book their own taxi to travel between London Waterloo and Woking / Guildford / Alton / Basingstoke / Salisbury / Southampton Central / Bournemouth/ Exeter St Davids/ Weymouth,” SWR said.

It stressed that to make a claim people would need to provide:

* The time and date of your journey

* The planned stations travelled to and from

* A description of the series of events that took place

* Copies of train tickets and taxi receipt

SWR added: “Please note that claims must be submitted within 28 days of travel, and Smartcard customers should ensure they have correctly tapped in and tapped out where applicable.”

In an update at 3.58am on Friday, National Rail said the lines had reopened.

“Disruption following the police dealing with an incident between Woking and Brookwood has now ended,” it said.

Emergency services have been contacted for comment.

Replacement buses were arranged, with services running from Woking at around 6.50pm on Thursday.

Some buses were also laid on from Basingstoke and Southampton Central.

But some replacement buses were delayed by local traffic.

In a statement on Friday, British Transport Police said they were called to the railway near Woking shortly after 3.30pm on Thursday following concerns for the welfare of a woman.

It said: “Officers attended alongside other emergency services and the woman was located in a precarious position. A specialist police negotiator also attended the incident, which was brought to a safe conclusion shortly before 12.45am today (23 October) when the woman was taken to a place of safety.

“She has been detained under the Mental Health Act and enquiries into the incident are ongoing.

* Samaritans can be contacted for free, day or night, 365 days a year, on 116 123, or visit samaritans.org to find your nearest branch.