DUG IN
Anti-HS2 protesters come face-to-face with bailiffs after chaining themselves into 100ft network of tunnels near Euston
ANTI-HS2 protesters have come face-to-face with bailiffs trying to drag them out of their 100ft network of tunnels dug under Euston Square Garden.
At least nine anti-HS2 protesters have been holed up in their tunnels for nine days now despite fears it could collapse.
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And they have now chained themselves in the complicated network of tunnels - hinting they are willing to remain underground for WEEKS.
The group has been led by Dr Larch Maxey, 48, and 90s eco activist Dan Hooper, 47, AKA Swampy.
Bailiffs last night breached the downshaft of the tunnel and are poised to evict their first protester, 20-year-old Lazer Sandford.
In dramatic footage shot inside the tunnel, it appears that Lazer has “locked on” with an ankle bracelet as bailiffs try to clear him out of the treacherous tunnel.
A fellow tunneller can be heard saying: “The tunnel is currently breached and Lazer is currently in lock on.”
The tunneller - believed to be Scott Breen, 47, then says: “The tunnel's been breached but we’re in high spirits... I estimate the eviction could be four weeks long.”
Lazer adds: “We’ve got a few cuts and bruises but we’ll be alright in the long run.”
In a clip, a bailiff could be heard telling Lazer that they would try to remove him from the tunnel by digging around the device locking him in.
This morning HS2, said Lazer was still locked on - 14 hours after bailiffs had tried to pull him out.
They tweeted: "TreeProtectors in the tunnel predict that it will take bailiffs at least another 6 hours to remove Lazer.
"Once they've dealt with this, they still have to reckon with him also being locked on by his ankle inside one of the tunnels as well. He's not going anywhere anytime soon."
The activists dug in last Wednesday after HS2 evicted protesters from their camp near the station.
The group had been secretly digging the 100ft long tunnel network since before Christmas, and have given the shafts the codenames Kelvin and Crystal.
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At least nine people are currently confirmed to be in the tunnels: Larch Maxey, Swampy, his 16-year-old son Rory, Scotty Breen and Blue and Lazer Sandford.
There are three other people in the tunnel who have not yet been named.
Lazer is the brother of 18-year-old Blue Sandford, dubbed the “British Greta Thunberg”.
On Wednesday, other eco protesters from Extinction Rebellion and Stop HS2 held “solidarity” protests close to the tunnel site in central London.
A group unfurled a giant banner saying “Euston We Have A Problem” outside the entrance to HS2 Ltd and even entered the main project compound in Camden.
A High Court judge ordered the activists to stop tunnelling but also warned HS2’s national eviction team to reassess its strategy.
Mr Justice Robin Knowles, demanded that the activists “cease any further tunnelling activity” and “co-operate to leave the tunnel safely”.
However, he also ordered HS2 bosses to “consider carefully” warnings by a rescue operation specialist that the eviction could injure the protesters.
'WE'LL KEEP DIGGING'
Speaking exclusively to The Sun last week, Swampy said: “We’ll keep on digging.
“I’m prepared to put my life on the line if need be.
“As far as I’m concerned these tunnels are safe but we’re prepared to last this out for as long as it takes.
“We’re in a climate emergency and the government is pressing ahead with the HS2 project that will deforest large areas, it’s madness.
“We’re living in desperate times. I’m worried about my children’s future.
“This will go on for weeks, not days. We’ll stay here as long as is necessary.”
Swampy, who led eco-protests in the 90s and even appeared on Have I Got News For You, has spent the last fifteen years living in Tipi Valley eco-village near Llandeilo, Carmarthenshire, Wales.
His son Rory told The Sun: "It’s more fun than I thought!
“I actually love it underground. It’s really peaceful.”
A spokesman for HS2 rebellion last night said: “Bailiffs have just broken into the downshaft of the tunnel network at Euston Square Gardens.
“One brave tree protector, Lazer, remains locked on at the bottom of the downshaft, surrounded by bailiffs.
“He is offering entirely non-violent, peaceful resistance.
“It seems highly likely that he will be removed tonight.
“Other tree protectors are in the tunnels proper and will still have to be dug out.
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“This eviction has still only just begun and has a long way to run yet.”
In a statement, HS2 Ltd said: “The safety of those trespassing and that of the HS2 staff and emergency service personnel in this operation is of paramount importance. We are doing all we can to end this illegal action safely, and progress has been made with access secured to the underground tunnel.
"As has been reported this morning, the illegal trespassers have attached themselves underground, which increases the danger to themselves, but also to our team and the emergency services.
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“The High Court this week issued an order to require the illegal occupiers to leave their tunnel. Dr Maxey still hasn’t complied with the court order which also told him to provide information on the tunnels and its occupants.
"We urge Dr Maxey to comply with the order as soon as possible – for his safety and the safety of the other activists and the HS2 staff and agents tasked with removing them from the danger they have put themselves in.”
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HS2 bailiffs warn eco-activists 'get out now' as heavy rain threatens tunnel collapse outside Euston station