Emergency services and British Transport Police (BTP) are currently responding to a passenger train derailment that occurred Thursday afternoon in southern England. The incident took place at approximately 3:54 p.m. (10:54 a.m. ET) in the vicinity of Lewes railway station in East Sussex, located roughly 70 miles south of London.
In a statement posted to X, the BTP confirmed they are coordinating with paramedics and fire crews, noting that they will share further updates as they become available. Social media footage from the site appears to depict multiple carriages tipped on their sides, with passengers visible standing atop the wreckage.
Despite the severity of the scene, multiple British media outlets citing a source from the UK Department for Transport have reported that there are no serious injuries or fatalities. The East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service has urged the public to stay away from the area while they continue their collaborative rescue efforts.
UK Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander expressed her deep concern regarding the derailment and extended her gratitude to the emergency personnel working to assist those affected. She stated that the government is working rapidly alongside the rail industry and local partners to provide support to the passengers involved.
While the cause of the accident remains under investigation, the region has been experiencing a significant heatwave, with temperatures climbing to 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit). This weather event had already forced some rail services to cancel trips or operate at reduced speeds. National Rail has warned of major disruption, stating that no trains will run through Lewes and Haywards Heath until further notice, and has advised commuters to seek alternative travel routes. The report also notes that the incident happened around 3:54 p.m.
