Passenger train derails near Lewes, emergency crews respond

A passenger train left the tracks near Lewes railway station in East Sussex at about 3:54 p.m. local time on Thursday, British Transport Police said. Emergency responders, including paramedics, fire crews and police, arrived at the scene and began assisting passengers.

"We’re responding alongside paramedics and the fire service and will provide more information as soon as we can," the British Transport Police posted on X.

Social-media images showed several carriages overturned, with passengers standing on top of them. Multiple news outlets citing the Department for Transport reported that there were no serious injuries or fatalities.

East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service deployed ten fire engines, a command support unit, technical rescue units and additional personnel, stating they were helping reach passengers and supporting other services.

"We have ten fire engines, a Command Support Unit, technical rescue units, officers and other resources at the scene," the fire service said.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander expressed concern and thanked responders, adding that the government was working with the rail industry and local partners to assist passengers.

"We are working quickly with the rail industry and local partners to assist passengers," she said.

The Rail Accident Investigation Branch sent investigators to collect evidence, while the TSSA union called for passenger safety to be prioritised. National Rail warned of major disruption for several hours, and Southern Rail announced that all lines through Lewes were closed until further notice.

The derailment follows a fatal train collision in Bedford two months earlier, marking the second serious rail incident in the UK this year.