Dozens of passengers were injured after a train derailed and three carriages overturned near Lewes in East Sussex, leaving around 40 people trapped inside and prompting a major emergency response.
The 2.24pm service from London Victoria to Eastbourne came off the tracks at around 3.45pm on Thursday, with the incident occurring during one of the hottest days of the year as temperatures reached 38°C in parts of London.
The rear three of the train’s eight carriages left the tracks and rolled onto their sides, with one carriage partially sliding down an embankment. Around 150 people were believed to be on board at the time.
Emergency crews rushed to the scene and worked to free passengers from the overturned carriages. Twenty people were taken to hospital for treatment, including two who suffered serious injuries and were transferred to a major trauma centre.
Eighteen passengers were transported by ambulance, while another two made their own way to hospital. No deaths were reported.
Dramatic images from the scene showed passengers standing on top of the overturned train as emergency workers helped them to safety. Others were seen gathering in a nearby field after escaping from the damaged carriages.
The incident was later declared a major incident by British Transport Police as emergency services from across the region responded to the crash.
Superintendent Dominique Ioannou said a large-scale operation involved British Transport Police, Sussex Police, fire and rescue crews, ambulance teams and Network Rail.
She also praised emergency workers for operating in challenging heat and thanked members of the local community and nearby businesses for helping during the response.
Network Rail said the railway line between Lewes and Haywards Heath would remain closed while engineers assess the damage and investigate what happened. The closure is expected to continue until at least Monday, with replacement bus services being provided.
Images from the site appeared to show sections of railway track badly buckled near where the train derailed. However, authorities have yet to establish the official cause of the incident, and it is not believed the train was travelling at full speed when it left the tracks.
The Rail Accident Investigation Branch has deployed inspectors to the site to gather evidence and determine how the derailment occurred.
British Transport Police Assistant Chief Constable Ian Drummond-Smith said all passengers had been safely evacuated and that investigators would work to establish what happened.
Passengers travelling through the affected area have been advised to check the latest travel information before starting their journeys.
