Lewes train derailment - recap: Two seriously injured after horror crash leaves passengers trapped

Lewes train derailment - recap: Two seriously injured after horror crash leaves passengers trapped Images show a carriage on its side following a train derailment in the Lewes area of East Sussex with the ambulance service saying two people are seriously injured and nine others also hurt A passenger train has derailed in East Sussex, leaving two people seriously injured and 18 others in need of hospital treatment. Images show a carriage on its side following the crash in the Lewes area which has forced the closure of lines through the station. Southern Railway has warned of major delays and cancellations to trains. The train carrying around 150 people derailed with initial reports of dozens of people trapped inside three carriages on their side. South East Coast Ambulance Service have now said two people have been seriously injured among 18 who it took to hospital - with a further two attending by their own means. A probe has now been launched by the British Transport Police and the Rail Accident Investigation Branch into the cause of the derailment. Key Events South East Coast Ambulance Service has issued a statement saying it had "scaled down" the response to the derailment having taken 18 people to hospital. It stated on Facebook: "SECAmb has now significantly scaled down its response to the major incident following the train derailment near Lewes Railway Station earlier today. "At the peak of the incident, more than 50 SECAmb staff attended the scene, including both of our Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) teams and Critical Care Paramedics, supported by more than 20 colleagues in our Emergency Operations Centre in Crawley who helped coordinate and support the ambulance response. "Our teams worked closely with emergency service and partner agency colleagues throughout the incident to assess, treat and support those affected. As previously reported, two patients sustained serious injuries and a further nine patients sustained less serious injuries. "Following further assessment of passengers, an additional seven patients were subsequently taken to hospital for treatment and further care. This means a total of 18 patients were transported to hospital, an increase on the figures provided in our earlier update. "The majority of our resources have now left the scene, with only a small number remaining to support partners as recovery activity continues. "We would like to thank all of our staff involved in the response. Their professionalism, dedication and teamwork ensured patients received timely care in what was a complex and challenging incident. "We are also grateful to our emergency services and partner agencies for their close collaboration throughout the response. As the incident moves into the recovery phase, SECAmb will not be providing any further updates on this incident." British Transport Police Chief Superintendent Dominique Loannou told a press conference that a probe was now underway with the Rail Accident Investigation Branch but did not go into any details about the cause of the derailment. The ambulance service took 18 people to hospital with a further two going by their own means. Michael Bradfield, deputy chief paramedic officer for South East Coast Ambulance Service, told a press conference that all the passengers on the train had been assessed and that 18 people were taken to hospitals. He clarified that two other people also went to hospital by their own means. Mr Bradfield said that emergency services "rescued and treated everyone involved, there were no fatalities". he added that two people had severe injuries and were taken to a major trauma centre. Regular commuters on the Lewes route claimed the trains were swaying violently from side to side 24 hours before the accident. One told the Mirror:”I was on the exact same service yesterday on the way back from London and everyone was commenting on how extremely the train was lurching from side to side. “I worried a lot in this extremely hot weather about derailments because the lines are melting all the time. It’s terrible. I just hope everyone is ok. Mercifully the section of track where it happened is on the final approach into Lewes so they will have been going slowly. “Had it happened further up the line there would have been fatalities I’ve no doubt. Yesterday was nuts - we were being thrown from side to side so violently in our seats. I bought a crossword book for my daughter and the movement was so violent, she couldn’t hold the pen straight and write. “It was scary for the passengers on board especially with children.” Others writing local online Lewes groups claimed the trains had been travelling more slowly on the route in recent extreme weather. A statement from Southern Rail advises against travel due to the derailment. It states: "A train has derailed in the Lewes area. This has closed all lines running through this station. As a result of this, trains are currently unable to run through the area to allow the emergency services to attend the incident. Major disruption is expected to continue until further notice." It continues: "Customer advice: Southern are advising that you do not travel. If you are already on a train, your journey will take longer than usual. No trains can run between Lewes and Haywards Heath. "Trains between Brighton, Lewes and Eastbourne / Seaford have a heavily a reduced service. Please talk to station staff, look at the information boards or check your journey planner for the most recent information." A local resident 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,” said 54-year-old Oriana Evans. “They were in the carriages that rolled over.” She said they told her they were alright but “really bruised”. Other residents could be seen outside their homes in front of lines of emergency service vehicles and walking down to the community hub with chairs for casualties to sit on. A bus was parked up by the hub awaiting for passengers to board, as well as taxis and one passenger could be seen being taken away in an ambulance. A major incident has been declared following the train derailment near Lewes in East Sussex, British Transport Police (BTP) said. Three carriages derailed onto their side, leaving a number of people trapped on board the Southern train, which was travelling from London Victoria to Eastbourne. They have now been safely evacuated, the force said. “At this time we believe that two patients have sustained serious injuries and a further nine patients have sustained less serious injuries,” BTP said. “Patients have been assessed and treated at the scene, with some transported to local hospitals. Officers are continuing to respond at the scene alongside colleagues from Sussex Police and the local Fire and Rescue and Ambulance Services. Assistant Chief Constable Ian Drummond-Smith said: “We’ve declared a major incident and a significant emergency service response is ongoing at the scene, but all passengers on the train have now been safely evacuated from the service. “Our thoughts are of course with everyone affected, and I’d like to reassure the public that we’re supporting the Rail Accident Investigation Branch to establish exactly what’s happened. We’ll provide further information as soon as we are able”. A passenger has told of her "terror" during the derailment where "everything went topsy turvy". The remaining train casualties have been ferried home in taxis or taken to hospital by ambulance. A triage area at the Landport Community Centre sorted the remaining injured. People shared cabs home or were loaded into ambulances. Passenger Yana Ludwig, 56, from Washington State, USA said 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 was killed. “It felt like it was maybe 20mins before the emergency services started showing up. It could’ve been faster, time is kind of warped.” Yana was waiting for a shared taxi back to Lewes, she added: “This is one of those moments when people pull together, which is good.” Two people have been seriously injured after a train derailed near Lewes railway station in East Sussex, South East Coast Ambulance Service said. The service said another nine people had been less seriously hurt in the derailment and added there were around 150 people on board the train at the time. The ambulance service said: “At this stage, we can confirm that two patients have sustained serious injuries and a further nine patients have sustained less serious injuries. “Patients have been assessed and treated at the scene, with some transported to local hospitals for further treatment and care. “A number of passengers who did not require hospital treatment have been taken to a local community centre, where they are being supported by partner agencies. “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. “We would ask the public to avoid the area where possible and allow emergency services to continue their work.” Images show people trapped inside a carriage following the train derailment between Haywards Heath and Lewes in Sussex. British Transport Police said: “Officers are currently on scene close to Lewes railway station following reports of a derailed train at 3.54pm today (13 August). “We’re responding alongside paramedics and the fire service and will provide more information as soon as we can.” The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) said a team of inspectors has been sent to the scene. Southern Rail advised passengers travelling to Gatwick Airport to give themselves an extra 150 minutes in order to make their flights. The operator said replacement bus services had been requested from Haywards Heath and Lewes stations. A statement from Gatwick Airport on X reads: "Our thoughts are with those affected by the derailment between Haywards Heath and Lewes. "Due to this incident, there are likely to be delays and cancellations to train services to and from London Gatwick Airport. If you are travelling by train, please allow extra time for your journey." An image from the scene where the derailment happened just north of Lewes station appears to show a buckled track. In the photo people can be seen stood on top of the carriage which is on its side and ahead of that the tracks seems to be twisted. East Sussex Fire Service says it has been working to help reach people on the train. It is believed that there could be dozens of people who were trapped following the derailment. "We have 10 fire engines, a Command Support Unit, technical rescue units, officers and other resources at the scene. We have been helping reach passengers and assisting other emergency services," said the fire service. Injured people were seen walking from the train just before 6pm. Shaking with shock a dad-of-two told how he saw warning signs about problems with the track before the train derailed. Liton Miah from Eastbourne was taking his wife and daughters to see relatives in London when the train overturned near Lewes. He suffered heavy bruising to his side. “I saw on the big board there as a problem with the track," he said. “I don’t know they didn’t take any precautions. “I saved my family and tried to help another couple. The guy was bleeding heavily and there was not much I could do to help him.” Mr Miah and his family went to the local community centre where injured people are being triaged before treatment. An air ambulance took off from the scene at 5.58pm. ASLEF, the train drivers' union, has called on people not to speculate on what has happened. It wrote on X: "We are aware of the derailment of a Southern train near Lewes and are waiting to be updated. Please allow the emergency services to do their job and refrain from speculation at this time." An update from East Sussex Fire and Rescue said it is continuing to "work at the scene" with other emergency services. It states: "We continue to work at the scene alongside our emergency service colleagues and other partners. Please avoid the area." Local MP James MacCleary says situation appears "very serious". He wrote on X: "I’m aware of reports of a train crash in the Lewes area this afternoon. This looks to be a very serious incident, I’m in touch with the authorities and will share more information when I have it. My thoughts are with everyone involved." South East Coast Ambulance Service says it has sent specialist teams to deal with the incident. Its statement says: "South East Coast Ambulance Service is currently responding to reports of an incident near Lewes Railway Station in Sussex. "We were called shortly before 4pm today and have a number of ambulance resources at the scene, including specialist teams, working alongside our emergency service partners. We have no further information to share at this time but will provide updates as soon as possible." More than 40 people are believed to be tapped in the train. Three carriages have overturned and emergency services are giving first aid. Footage shows a major emergency service response following the derailment near Lewes. There is a patch of undergrowth running from the rail line to a gravel road and helicopters can also be seen having landed at the scene. Southern Rail says it is "working out" impact to network following the derailment. It states: "A train has derailed in the area between Haywards Heath and Lewes. Emergency services are making their way to the scene and we are working out the impact this will have on our network." And an update read: "At this time, no trains can run between; - Brighton and Lewes - Haywards Heath and Lewes - Seaford/Eastbourne and Lewes You should delay your journey in this area until later on today, or use an alternative route to travel." People can be seen on top of a carriage which is on its side having come off the track near Lewes. Emergency services are at the scene with no reports yet of the cause or injuries. Travellers have been by warned by National Rail of "major disruption" this evening. It said: "No trains can run through Lewes until further notice. You will need to use an alternative route to reach your destination. It is strongly recommended that you travel later on today, where possible. "If you are already travelling or must travel you should allow at least an additional 60 minutes to complete your journey today." A statement from East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service is urging people to avoid the area after a derailment near Lewes. It reads: "East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service have been called to an incident near Lewes train station. Other emergencies services have also been alerted. "Please avoid the area. We can confirm we were called at 3.55pm to reports that a train had derailed just outside Lewes. We are working with other emergency services at the scene." An image show a carriage on its side following the crash in the Lewes area which has forced the closure of lines through the station. People can be seen on top of the train with emergency services working at the scene. Southern Railway has warned of major delays and cancellations to trains until 10pm tonight. British Transport Police said: "Officers are currently on scene close to Lewes railway station following reports of a derailed train at 3.54pm today. We're responding alongside paramedics and the fire service and will provide more information as soon as we can."