An investigation is underway after a train derailment in East Sussex which left two people with serious injuries, and a further 18 people taken to hospital.
The probe will establish the “root cause” of the incident, which saw three carriageways leave the railway between Lewes and Haywards Heath.
National Rail have warned of significant disruption to the line on Friday, with all trains cancelled between the two stations and rail replacement buses in place.
Emergency services declared a “major incident” at 3.54pm on Thursday, with passengers describing the experience as “completely terrifying”.
The two injured passengers 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 until further notice, whilst the emergency response continued and specialist teams carried out the “complex task of assessing the damage to the train and the infrastructure.”
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
National Rail warn that disruption is expected to continue on Friday
National Rail have warned that travel disruption is expected to continue until further notice as a result of the rail derailment.
Trains are unable to run between Lewes and Haywards Heath, with the routes affected between Ore/Eastbourne/Seaford and Brighton, as well as to London Victoria.
Rail replacement buses are running between Lewes and Haywards Heath and will be calling at Cooksbridge and Plumpton.
A spokesperson said: “There are fewer travel options than normal for some customers. To help keep you moving, Southern have added extra carriages to services between Brighton and Hastings and Brighton and Seaford wherever possible, providing more space on board for customers travelling along the route.
“If you’re travelling towards Eastbourne or Hastings, you’ll need to change trains at Brighton to continue your journey.”
Holly Evans14 August 2026 08:20
Recap: Aerial footage shows scores of emergency responders at scene of Lewes train derailment
Joe Middleton14 August 2026 07:26
Recap: What is rail buckling and is that what happened in east Sussex?
Tracks can “buckle” when the steel rails expand and start to curve in the heat.
Rails in direct sunlight can be up to 20C hotter than the air temperature, according to Network Rail.
While most of the network can operate when track temperatures reach up to 46C, roughly equivalent to an air temperature of around 30C, rails have been recorded at temperatures as high as 51C.
It remains unclear whether the bends in the track are from buckling or from where the train was derailed for other reasons. RAIB is currently investigating the matter.
Bryony Gooch14 August 2026 07:00
Pictured: Air ambulance deployed over derailment on Thursday
Bryony Gooch14 August 2026 06:00
Recap: Gatwick travellers warned to add at least 150 minutes to journey
Travellers hoping to reach Gatwick Airport have been advised to add at least an extra 150 minutes to their journey to ensure they meet flight connections.
Bryony Gooch14 August 2026 05:00
Watch: Scene of the Lewes train derailment that injured over 18 passengers
Bryony Gooch14 August 2026 04:00
Watch: Aerial footage shows scores of emergency responders at scene of Lewes train derailment
Bryony Gooch14 August 2026 03:00
In pictures: emergency services remain at the scene where three carriages were derailed
Bryony Gooch14 August 2026 02:00
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.”
Bryony Gooch14 August 2026 01:00
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