A passenger train carrying about 150 people derailed near Lewes station in southern England, overturning three carriages. Eleven people were injured, including two seriously hurt. Authorities are urgently investigating the cause of the accident.
On 14 August 2026, a passenger train derailed near Lewes railway station in East Sussex, southern England, about 72 kilometers south of London. The incident injured 11 people, two of them seriously, while multiple emergency units rushed to assist the passengers.
Ian Drummond-Smith, Assistant Chief of British Transport Police, said the Southern Rail train was traveling from London Victoria station to Eastbourne. At the time, there were about 150 passengers on board. Three carriages derailed and overturned, trapping some passengers inside. Authorities declared a major emergency and deployed numerous rescue teams, successfully evacuating all passengers safely.
The UK's Rail Accident Investigation Branch stated there is currently no clear indication of what caused the derailment, though the extreme heat may be a factor under consideration. On the day of the incident, temperatures in parts of southern England reached up to 35 degrees Celsius. Earlier, some train services had been canceled and speed limits imposed due to the heatwave. A team has been sent to the site to collect evidence and investigate the cause.
Meanwhile, UK Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander expressed deep concern over the derailment reports, thanked emergency responders for their efforts, and said the government is coordinating with rail operators and local authorities to support those affected.
This derailment marks the second major rail accident in England within two months. In June, two passenger trains collided near Bedford, resulting in one death and dozens of injuries.
Source: CNN