A passenger train derailed in the southeast of England near the town of Lewes in East Sussex, leaving multiple carriages overturned and injuring several people on board, according to local emergency services.
The incident occurred shortly before 4:00 p.m. local time on a stretch of track operated by Southern Rail. Approximately 150 passengers were on board the train at the time of the crash, which took place between Haywards Heath and Lewes. Emergency responders, including firefighters and officers from the British Transport Police, immediately deployed to the site, while local authorities urged the public to avoid the surrounding area.
According to the regional ambulance service, two people sustained serious injuries, while 18 others suffered various injuries, with several patients transported to local hospitals. However, German public broadcaster Tagesschau reported slightly different figures from emergency updates, noting two serious injuries alongside nine less severe injuries. Broadcasters and official statements confirmed that there are no recorded fatalities resulting from the derailment.
Rescue Operations and Visual Evidence from the Scene
Aerial footage captured by a BBC helicopter showed that multiple carriages in the rear section of the train tipped onto their sides, with some passengers managing to climb onto the roofs of the overturned cars to await rescue. Eyewitness accounts provided to the BBC described the moments leading up to the disaster, with one passenger stating that the carriages began to sway violently from side to side before travelers were forcefully thrown forward.
The British Transport Police and local fire rescue teams coordinated evacuation efforts at the remote crash site, assisting passengers out of damaged compartments.
Railway Disruption and Official Responses
The accident caused severe operational disruptions across the regional rail network. Southern Rail reported extensive delays and widespread cancellations along the affected route between Haywards Heath and Lewes as engineers and investigators secured the tracks.
Government officials responded swiftly to the emergency. Britain’s Transport Minister, Heidi Alexander, posted on the social media platform X to express her reaction to the disaster, writing that she was “deeply concerned” and noting that authorities were working rapidly with the rail industry and local partners to assist affected passengers.
Investigation Into the Cause of the Derailment
The exact cause of the crash remains unconfirmed. To determine what triggered the derailment, the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) deployed inspectors to the scene, according to BBC reports.