A train derailed near Lewes, East Sussex, on Thursday afternoon, leaving two people with serious injuries and around 40 passengers trapped, as emergency services rushed to the scene. The British Rail Class 377, travelling from London Victoria to Eastbourne, came off the tracks just before 4pm, shutting rail routes to and from the capital on the hottest day of the year, with temperatures reaching 33C.
Passengers describe 'pure pandemonium'
The scene was described as "pure pandemonium" by witnesses, with shocking images showing carriages on their side and desperate passengers climbing on top of a derailed carriage. More than 150 people were on board the busy commuter train. The Rail Accident Investigation Branch said a team of inspectors has been sent to the scene.
Passenger Yana Ludwig, 56, from Washington, USA, told the Mirror she heard a loud bang before being thrown from her seat. "It was completely terrifying," she said. "I was coming back from London and Lewes is my stop. There was a banging noise and everything went topsy turvy. There was lots of shaking, it felt like a really long time, but it was probably only about 10 seconds. I landed on top of somebody, I'm just glad nobody has so far been killed."
Emergency response and casualties
Three air ambulances arrived alongside around 20 other emergency vehicles. The South East Coast Ambulance Service said that in addition to the two serious injuries, another nine people had been less seriously hurt. "Patients have been assessed and treated at the scene, with some transported to local hospitals for further treatment and care," the service said. "This remains a complex and ongoing multi-agency response. Our priority continues to be providing care to those affected and ensuring the safety of everyone involved."
Walking wounded were still being escorted off the train almost three hours after the crash, with the remaining casualties ferried home in taxis or taken to hospital by ambulance. Local resident Oriana Evans said she and her son helped casualties who were led off the train towards the community centre at Lewes, showing them where to go, including some passengers who were on holiday. "I walked and chatted to some of them in shock really," the 54-year-old jewellery maker said. "They were in the carriages that rolled over." She said they told her they were alright but "really bruised".
Second major crash in two months
Rob Bradley, who was on the train with his six-year-old daughter Mabel, said: "It was pandemonium. I could feel the carriage rocking, then it jumped. The emergency brakes slammed on and everyone got thrown forward."
This is the second major train crash inside two months, following an incident near Bedford where train driver Shaun Burton, 60, died from "traumatic injuries to the brainstem and chest, pending further investigation" after a crash on June 19, according to a report from HM Coroner's Office. Last month, driver Kerry Coombes was killed and a child was left fighting for their life following a collision between a train and her car in Hoghton, Lancashire.
