Two seriously injured after Train derails near UK railway station

Two people have sustained serious injuries after a passenger train derailed near Lewes railway station in East Sussex, triggering a major emergency response.

The incident occurred at about 3:55pm when the 14:24 Southern service from London Victoria to Eastbourne came off the tracks. Three of the train’s eight carriages reportedly overturned in the derailment.

Around 150 passengers were believed to have been on board, with some initially trapped inside the overturned carriages. Emergency responders later confirmed that all passengers had been safely evacuated by about 7:30pm.

South East Coast Ambulance Service said two people suffered serious injuries and were taken to major trauma centres for treatment, while 18 others sustained less serious injuries.

“A number of passengers who did not require hospital treatment have been taken to a local community centre, where they are being supported by partner agencies. This remains a complex and ongoing multi-agency response,” an ambulance service spokesperson said.

Witnesses described scenes of chaos inside the train, with passengers thrown from their seats as the train reportedly swayed violently before coming to a stop.

One passenger, Rob Bradley, who was travelling with his six-year-old daughter, Mabel, said they felt the train “speeding up and starting to rock” before it suddenly jumped upwards.

“The emergency brakes went on the train, and everything got thrown forward,” he told the BBC.

Bradley said the train appeared to skid for some distance before stopping, adding that he saw people with head injuries, cuts and blood.

Another passenger, 56-year-old Yana Ludwig, said she heard a loud banging sound before “everything just went topsy-turvy.”

Emergency services deployed a large number of resources to the scene, including 10 fire engines, technical rescue teams, helicopters and a command support unit.

The derailment caused the suspension of train services between Lewes and Brighton, Haywards Heath, Seaford and Eastbourne, while passengers were advised not to travel through the affected area.

The Rail Accident Investigation Branch has deployed a team to examine the scene and determine what caused the train to leave the tracks.

The cause of the derailment has not yet been established, although photographs appeared to show a section of buckled track. Investigators will determine whether the damaged track contributed to the incident or was damaged during the derailment.