TWO SERIOUSLY INJURED AS LONDON COMMUTER TRAIN DERAILS IN EAST SUSSEX

Read Time:1 Minute, 13 Second

Agency Report

Two people sustained serious injuries while nine others were hurt after a busy commuter train travelling from London derailed near Lewes in southeast England on Thursday.

The South East Coast Ambulance Service confirmed that 11 passengers were injured in the incident, which involved a train carrying about 150 passengers from London Victoria station.

“At this stage, we can confirm that two patients have sustained serious injuries and a further nine patients have sustained less serious injuries,” the ambulance service said in a statement.

The train, operated by Southern Rail, reportedly veered off the tracks shortly before 4:00 p.m. local time.

British Transport Police official Ian Drummond-Smith said a major incident had been declared following the derailment, but confirmed that all passengers had been safely evacuated from the train.

Images from the scene in East Sussex showed at least three carriages overturned, with emergency responders attending to the injured passengers.

The cause of the derailment had not been established as of Thursday evening, while emergency and transport authorities continued their response to the incident.

Southern Rail operates services connecting communities south of London with the capital.

Train accidents are relatively uncommon in Britain, although recent incidents have resulted in casualties. A train driver was killed and dozens of people injured in a collision involving two trains north of London in June.

In November 2025, four people also sustained minor injuries after a train derailed following a reported landslide in northwestern England.

AFP