Britain · 14 August, 2026 · 3 min read
Passenger Train Derails Near Lewes, East Sussex, Disrupting Southern Service From London Victoria
Train derailed near Lewes in East Sussex with three carriages on their sides. About 150 passengers were on board; two seriously injured and nine others injured.
Whether passengers were off the train.
10 of 12 outlets skipped it: one report quotes a passenger hearing police counted 110 passengers.
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One outlet implies complete evacuation; another stresses awaiting updates while on board.
Derailment Near Lewes
A passenger train derailed in the Lewes area of East Sussex, with emergency teams responding after the 14:24 BST Southern passenger service from London Victoria to Eastbourne came off the tracks shortly before 16:00 BST.
“the 14:24 BST Southern passenger service from London Victoria to Eastbourne came off the tracks”
British Transport Police said officers were on scene close to Lewes railway station following reports of a derailed train at 3:54 p.m. today (13 August) and added, "We're responding alongside paramedics and the fire service and will provide more information as soon as we can."
The BBC reported that a passenger in the fourth carriage said it derailed from carriage five, and photographs showed people standing on top of overturned carriages.
Network Rail said the derailment closed all lines running through the station, with major disruption expected until 22:00, and Southern advised passengers not to travel between Brighton, Lewes, Haywards Heath, Seaford and Eastbourne for the rest of the day.
A government source told the BBC the latest understanding is that there are "no serious injuries or fatalities," while University Hospitals Sussex NHS confirmed it is responding to a major incident.
Officials, Passengers, Disruption
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said she was "deeply concerned" by reports of a derailment involving a Southern train in Lewes, Sussex, and she thanked emergency services for supporting those impacted.
Rob Bradley, who was on the train with his six-year-old daughter, described "pandemonium" and said the emergency brakes then went on and "everything got thrown forward."
Another passenger, John May, said the service had been "packed" and that the train started to shift side-to-side and derailed.
East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service said it sent 10 fire engines, a command support unit, technical rescue teams and other resources to the scene, and CNN reported the fire service had "ten fire engines, a Command Support Unit, technical rescue units" at the site.
Network Rail and Southern Rail said trains through the area were suspended and passengers were advised to check online at southernrailway.com for the latest service information.
Investigation and Next Steps
The Rail Accident Investigation Branch launched an inquiry into what went wrong, and the Rail Accident Investigation Branch said it was deploying a team of investigators to the site to begin gathering evidence.
“"at least an extra 150 minutes for your journey"”
The Guardian quoted a government source saying "Everyone is now off the train," while the BBC said emergency teams were at the scene and people were advised to avoid the area.T
Southern advised passengers travelling to Gatwick to allow "at least an extra 150 minutes for your journey" or use an alternative route, and the operator said rail replacement buses had been arranged for travel to Lewes and to Haywards Heath.
TSSA expressed concern over the derailment, saying "With a large number of passengers involved, their safety and wellbeing must come first," and it thanked emergency services and rail staff responding at the scene.
The BBC reported that major disruption was expected until 22:00, and the Guardian said emergency services said people should avoid the area and anyone travelling by rail in the area should allow up to 60 minutes extra for their journey.T