Track 'defect' that derailed train in Lewes was caught on CCTV of earlier commuter service, investigators reveal

Track 'defect' that derailed train in Lewes was caught on CCTV of earlier commuter service, investigators reveal - See more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred Source A track defect was caught on CCTV less than two hours before a train derailed near Lewes leaving 30 people injured, investigators have revealed today. The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) said footage captured by earlier services on the line showed the fault, which a report described as a 'track geometry irregularity'. The derailment last Thursday came on the hottest day of the year so far, as temperatures reached 38.1C in London. An image published by the RAIB appeared to show a section of the track had already buckled, which can happen during high temperatures. The nearest weather station to the scene recorded a temperature of around 27C at the time of the accident. The RAIB said investigators have also received several reports of ‘rough riding' from passengers on other trains at the same location. It added that the derailment came during 'a sustained period of hot and dry weather'. Preliminary analysis of the derailed train's onboard data recorder shows it was travelling at about 65mph as it approached the point of derailment in Lewes, East Sussex, at 3.54pm. About 150 people were on the eight-carriage Southern service from London Victoria to Eastbourne. Three carriages ended up on their side after it derailed, leaving passengers trapped inside. Two people were seriously injured when a train derailed near Lewes, East Sussex, last week Investigators are looking into whether the tracks had expanded in the heat and started to warp A total of 30 people were injured, including 20 who required hospital treatment, the RAIB said. British Transport Police previously said two people sustained serious injuries which were not deemed to be life-threatening. Rear-facing CCTV from an earlier train that passed the accident location at 2.04pm showed the track irregularity next to white ballast bags. The RAIB said its investigation will consider the hot and sunny conditions as well as the status of the track, embankment, condition of the train and the effectiveness of measures taken to address potential issues caused by weather. The agency completed its work at the site on Saturday and handed it back to Network Rail while its investigation continues. Following today's update, a joint statement was issued by Lucy McAuliffe, Sussex route director at Network Rail, and John Whitehurst, chief executive officer at Greater Thameslink Railway, which operates Southern. It read: 'We are very sorry that this happened on our railway. Our thoughts remain with everyone affected, especially those who were injured and the family and friends of those on board the train. 'We also recognise the ongoing impact the incident has had on customers, local communities and railway colleagues. CCTV from an earlier train which passed the accident location at 2.04pm the same afternoon as the derailment shows a 'track' irregularity, which can be seen next to the white ballast bags A British Transport Police scene manager and investigators at the scene near Lewes last week 'Safety is and will always remain our highest priority. While Britain's railway is one of the safest in the world, when incidents like this occur it is essential that we understand exactly what happened and identify any lessons that can be learned. 'We will carefully consider any recommendations arising from the investigation and work across the industry to implement them, with the shared goal of making an already safe railway even safer for our customers, colleagues and the communities we serve.' The railway between Lewes and Haywards Heath will remain closed until at least the end of service on August 26 as the train is recovered and the track is repaired. A Department for Transport spokesman said: 'Safety remains the absolute priority across our rail network, and we will ensure the industry acts on any findings in the Rail Accident Investigation Branch's full report when published. 'The UK's railways remain among the safest in the world, with the number of delays caused by track faults falling by 45 per cent since the late 2000s. 'We're investing £29billion to renew and maintain the network and a further £2.6billion to improve climate resilience.' The Lewes incident was one of two derailments in less than 24 hours as the rail network struggled in the intense heat. A Greater Anglia service came off the tracks at 2.12pm last Friday south of Wickford station in Essex. The rear carriages of the train derailed in an upright position and no injuries were reported but the line remained closed this week.