A passenger train has derailed in the Lewes area of East Sussex, prompting a large emergency response involving police, paramedics and fire crews, with Southern Railway warning that all lines through the station are closed and major disruption is expected to continue until 10pm.
A passenger train has derailed near Lewes station in East Sussex, closing all rail lines running through the area and triggering a significant emergency services response. Network Rail confirmed that a Southern service came off the tracks just before 4pm on Thursday, with British Transport Police, paramedics and fire crews all attending the scene. Southern Railway has confirmed that services will be cancelled until 10pm as a result of the incident.
What is known so far
According to British Transport Police, officers were called to reports of a derailed train close to Lewes railway station at 3.54pm today, 13 August. A force spokesperson said: “Officers are currently on scene close to Lewes railway station following reports of a derailed train at 3.54pm today. We’re responding alongside paramedics and the fire service and will provide more information as soon as we can.” Officers from Sussex Police have also confirmed they are in attendance at the scene.
East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service said it was called shortly afterwards, at 3.55pm, to reports that a train had derailed just outside Lewes. A fire service spokesperson said: “We can confirm we were called at 3.55pm to reports that a train had derailed just outside Lewes. We are working with other emergency services at the scene.” The fire service said a further update on the incident would be issued at around 5pm.
At this stage, there has been no confirmed information establishing the extent of any passenger injuries, and any claims about passengers being trapped or seriously hurt should continue to be treated with caution until officially confirmed by emergency services.
Rail disruption and advice for passengers
In a joint statement, a spokesperson for Network Rail and Southern Railway said: “We are aware that a passenger train has derailed in the Lewes area of East Sussex. Emergency services are on site and we will update with more information when we can.”
Southern Railway later confirmed the scale of the disruption in a further statement: “A train has derailed in the Lewes area. This has closed all lines running through this station. As a result of this, trains are currently unable to run through the area to allow the emergency services to attend the incident. Major disruption is expected until 22:00.”
Emergency services have asked members of the public to avoid the area while they work at the scene. Anyone travelling by rail through the area has been advised to allow up to 60 minutes of additional journey time, with no trains currently able to run through Lewes as a result of the closure.
What happens next
A formal investigation is expected to be launched in due course to establish why the train came off the tracks and whether any infrastructure or mechanical issues contributed to the derailment. Further updates are expected from emergency services as their work at the scene continues, with East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service due to provide additional information at around 5pm.
