A passenger who was on the derailed train in Lewes, East Sussex, has described the moment she thought she was going to die. Tracy McGregor was travelling on the Southern service from London Victoria to Eastbourne when three carriages derailed onto their side on Thursday afternoon, trapping passengers on board.
Passenger describes terrifying ordeal
Speaking on Friday's This Morning, McGregor told hosts Rochelle Humes and Joel Dommett that she was in one of the rear carriages, which tipped onto its side as it came off the track. She said she had been shopping in London and usually drives but decided to take the train as she thought it would be "easier".
McGregor said: "We were about three quarters of the way back. Actually, before that, the train had come to a standstill and for whatever reason there was a delay. And maybe the thinking was that they were trying to make up some time, so it was going quite quickly."
Crash position and escape
She described the moment of derailment: "It was an enormous bump and then the train just flew right over, I was travelling backwards, it slid right over to the left and then countered that with an absolutely huge counter to the right and then slammed off the track and onto the ground. The train just carried on moving."
McGregor said she got into the "crash position" and "waited for it to end", adding: "It eventually just did come to a standstill and then there were a few seconds when everyone just quiet and still and kind of, what was that? What on earth? And then of course the hysterics erupted."
She said some passengers managed to open the doors from the roof, which was actually the side of the train, and people climbed out and crawled along the top to safety. She added: "Quite a lot of people weren't able to do the climbing and to get out so they were stuck on the train and some people were injured and there was quite a lot of blood and people had suitcases all flying around and you can imagine it's just carnage really."
Aftermath and investigation
McGregor, who did not need medical support, said she is suffering from shock. She said: "In terrible things, lovely moments happen and a lot of us sort of sat together and there was a lot of hugging and a lot of thank God. You know, we really felt blessed that we were all right, it was a miracle really."
British Transport Police declared a major incident after the derailment. Around 150 people were on board and were evacuated. Two people were taken to major trauma centres with "severe" injuries, and a total of 20 people went to hospital.
John Whitehurst, chief executive of Greater Thameslink Railway, said derailments are "incredibly rare" and that a full investigation is under way with the Rail Accident Investigation Branch. He said: "The railway is safe. These types of incidents are incredibly rare. We have control processes in place that involve inspection, temporary speed restrictions or even suspending services if that's required."
