A passenger train derailed near Lewes in East Sussex, southern England, on Thursday, August 13, leaving 11 people injured, including two seriously, after three carriages overturned.
The Southern Rail service was travelling from London Victoria to Eastbourne when it came off the tracks shortly before 4 p.m. near Lewes. Around 150 passengers were aboard the train at the time of the accident.
Three carriages left the tracks and overturned, prompting a major emergency response involving police, firefighters, paramedics and air ambulances. Some passengers were initially trapped inside the damaged train before emergency crews completed the evacuation.
British Transport Police declared a major incident following the derailment. Two passengers suffered serious injuries and were taken for specialist treatment, while nine others sustained less serious injuries, according to the initial official casualty figures.
Images from the scene showed carriages lying on their sides beside the railway, while emergency personnel worked around the wreckage. Passengers described the train rocking before the derailment, with the sudden movement throwing people and belongings inside the carriages.
The accident caused significant disruption to rail services through Lewes and East Sussex, with affected lines closed while emergency operations and inspections were carried out. Passengers travelling through the region were advised to expect cancellations and delays.
The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) has launched an investigation to establish why the train left the tracks. Authorities have not yet announced an official cause, and investigators are expected to examine the condition of the railway infrastructure, the train and other circumstances surrounding the derailment.
The incident is one of the most serious passenger rail accidents reported in Britain this year and has renewed attention on railway safety as investigators work to determine exactly what caused three carriages to overturn.
