Rescue operation underway as passenger train derails in southern England
UK police and emergency services are on scene after a passenger train derailed in southern England, authorities said Thursday.
A passenger train derailed near Lewes railway station in East Sussex, England, on Thursday afternoon, causing no serious injuries or fatalities. British Transport Police, paramedics, and the fire service are responding to the incident, which occurred around 3:54 p.m. local time near Lewes. Images from the scene show several train carriages overturned, with people standing on top of them.
The UK Department for Transport confirmed there were "no serious injuries or fatalities," and East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service has deployed ten fire engines, a Command Support Unit, technical rescue units, officers, and other resources to assist passengers and aid the emergency services. UK Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander expressed deep concern over the derailment and thanked emergency responders for their efforts.
A team of investigators from the UK’s Rail Accident Investigation Branch is also at the site to gather evidence. The incident comes amid a heatwave, with temperatures reaching 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit) in parts of southern England. National Rail warned of "major disruption" for the next several hours, advising passengers to use alternative routes as all lines through Lewes railway station are shut down.
This is the second serious train crash in the UK in two months, following a collision in June near Bedford that killed one person and injured dozens.
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