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Derailment near Lewes
A passenger train derailed in East Sussex near Lewes on Thursday, with the British Transport Police saying three carriages derailed and left several people trapped before all 150 passengers were safely evacuated.
“shortly before 16:00 BST”
The incident involved a Southern service from London Victoria to Eastbourne that came off the tracks close to Lewes railway station shortly before 16:00 BST, and photographs showed people standing on top of overturned carriages.
British Transport Police Chief Superintendent Dominique Ioannou said in a press briefing that while two people sustained serious injuries, a further 18 suffered less serious injuries, and the South East Coast Ambulance Service said patients were assessed and treated at the scene.
Network Rail said the 14:24 BST Southern service from Victoria to Eastbourne derailed in the Lewes area of East Sussex, and it said emergency services were on site as it suspended trains through the area.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander posted on X that she was "Deeply concerned of reports of a derailment involving a Southern train in Lewes, Sussex."
Evacuation, injuries, and quotes
Passengers described pandemonium on board, with Rachel Heath saying, "It felt like we flew in the air and the carriage landed on its side and it slid."
Rob Bradley told the BBC that the emergency brakes went on and "everything got thrown forward," and he said that when they turned around "smoke and dust were pouring into the carriage."
British Transport Police assistant chief constable Ian Drummond-Smith said, "We've declared a major incident and a significant emergency service response is ongoing at the scene," while also saying all passengers had been safely evacuated.
The South East Coast Ambulance Service said two people were taken to major trauma centres with severe injuries, and it said patients were assessed and treated at the scene with some transported to local hospitals.
Yana Ludwig, travelling from London to Lewes, described the moment the carriage fell on its side as "completely terrifying" and said, "There was a banging. Everything just went topsy turvy."
Rail disruption and investigation
Emergency services advised people to avoid the area after the derailment between Haywards Heath and Lewes, and Network Rail said no timetable could be given for when the railway would be able to reopen after the incident.
“"extensive inspections and recovery work will need to take place before services can resume."”
The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) said it had launched an inquiry into what went wrong, and the BBC reported that Network Rail would work with the RAIB to establish exactly what happened.
Southern warned of major disruption and advised passengers not to travel, adding that "extensive inspections and recovery work will need to take place before services can resume."
James MacCleary, the MP for Lewes, said, "This is clearly a very serious and developing incident, and my thoughts are with everyone affected," as he said he was in touch with relevant authorities.
In the aftermath, Southern also said it had requested rail replacement buses to Haywards Heath and Lewes and told passengers to allow extra time, while a spokesperson for Network Rail and Southern Rail said the 14.24 Southern passenger service had derailed in the Lewes area of East Sussex.
