Two Severely Injured After Train Derails Near Lewes in UK
Two people have suffered severe injuries after a passenger train derailed near Lewes in East Sussex, southern England, on Thursday afternoon.
The Southern Rail service was travelling from London Victoria to Eastbourne when it came off the tracks shortly before 4pm. About 150 passengers were on board at the time of the incident.
British Transport Police declared a major incident after three carriages overturned, leaving some passengers trapped inside the train. Emergency services rushed to the scene, with paramedics treating injured passengers before taking some to hospitals.
A total of 20 people were taken to hospital, according to police. Two of those injured were classified as having severe injuries and were transported to a major trauma centre for further treatment. The other 18 people suffered less serious injuries.
Passengers described the incident as terrifying as emergency crews worked to evacuate everyone from the train. Those who did not require hospital treatment were taken to a nearby community centre where they received assistance from emergency response agencies.
The train was eventually evacuated safely, but the railway line between Haywards Heath and Lewes remained closed while investigators and specialist teams assessed the damage to the train and railway infrastructure.
The cause of the derailment has not yet been officially established. The Rail Accident Investigation Branch is investigating the incident alongside other authorities. Early speculation about the possibility of heat-related track damage has been reported, but investigators have not confirmed the cause.
The incident has caused significant disruption to rail services in the area, with passengers advised to expect cancellations and delays while recovery and investigation work continues.
