Work is under way to remove a derailed train from a track in East Sussex, as rail bosses confirmed the line will reopen in September. The first of the three derailed carriages was lifted using two large cranes on Thursday.
Incident and Injuries
A major incident was declared by British Transport Police after three carriages derailed on their side, trapping passengers on board the Southern train near Lewes on August 13. Some 20 people went to hospital, and two passengers sustained serious injuries, which are not deemed to be life-threatening.
Recovery Operation
Network Rail and Southern Railway said the line between Lewes and Haywards Heath will remain closed until September 1 while the train is recovered and the tracks are repaired. Footage shows a train carriage being held by a crane, with staff carrying luggage and bicycles off the upright carriage.
Lucy McAuliffe, Sussex route director for Network Rail, said: "I can only apologise for the disruption that this incident is causing to people's journeys, and I want to personally thank people for their patience and their understanding alongside the many rail industry colleagues supporting the recovery." She added that the location near the River Ouse makes reinstatement "particularly complex," with teams working round the clock to reopen the line safely.
Investigation Details
The Rail Accident Investigation Branch described the fault as a "track geometry irregularity," recorded by cameras on preceding services. The RAIB noted there was "a sustained period of hot and dry weather" before the accident. Preliminary analysis of the derailed train's onboard data recorder shows it was travelling at about 65mph as it approached the point of derailment at 3.54pm on August 13. About 150 people were onboard the eight-carriage service from London Victoria to Eastbourne.
