Two people have been seriously injured and a further 18 were hurt after a train was derailed between Haywards Heath and Lewes in Sussex.
Emergency services issued an update after a “major incident” was declared when three carriages were derailed onto their side at 3.54pm on Thursday, leaving a number of people trapped. They have now been safely evacuated, British Transport Police has said.
The two categorised as severe were conveyed to a major trauma centre, while the remaining were classed as “a mix of injuries of varying severity.”
A Network Rail figure said that the railway between Lewes and Hayward Heath would remain closed whilst the emergency response continued and specialist teams carried out the “complex task of assessing the damage to the train and the infrastructure.”
The Rail Accident Investigation Branch has also deployed a team to establish what happened.
Transport secretary Heidi Alexander said she was “deeply concerned” by the incident which involved a Southern Railway train travelling from London Victoria to Eastbourne.
Have you witnessed the crash or have pictures from the scene? Email bryony.gooch.ind@independent.co.uk
Watch: Aerial footage shows scores of emergency responders at scene of Lewes train derailment
In pictures: emergency services remain at the scene where three carriages were derailed
Recap: Network Rail route director 'shocked and saddened' by derailment
Lucy McAuliffe, Network Rail route director for Sussex, said she was “shocked and saddened” by the derailment near Lewes.
She told a press conference: “The railway between Haywards Heath and Lewes is closed and is likely to remain closed as the emergency response continues and specialist teams carry out the complex task of assessing the damage to the train and the infrastructure.
“I understand that people will have lots of questions about what has happened today.
“I would like to reassure everyone that we are working closely the Rail Accident Investigation Branch, who are on site to establish exactly what has happened.
“At the moment, it would be inappropriate to comment as to the cause of this incident but more information would be provided as soon as we can.”
Major disruption is expected to continue until further notice
The major disruption on the railway lines is expected to continue until further notice as emergency services and Network Rail engineers work on the derailment in east Sussex.
Disruption is expected to go on into Friday.
No timeline given for when railway can safely reopen
No timetable can be given for when the railway will be able to “safely reopen” after the derailment near Lewes, Network Rail has said.
Lucy McAuliffe, Network Rail route director for Sussex, told a press conference: “This is an evolving and complex situation.
“We will provide updates as soon as we have a clear understanding of the recovery work required and when the railway can safely reopen.”
She urged passengers to check before they travel.
She added: “I can only apologise to everyone who has been impacted by this incident but I also must thank the local response teams and community for everything they have done to support the response to this situation.”
Two seriously injured as train derails and carriages topple sideways in ‘terrifying’ experience
In pictures: Emergency services give update on derailment
