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Passenger train derails in East Sussex

Craig Buchanand
Daniel Sexton,South East
News imageEddie Mitchell Three train carriages that have derailed. Several emergency workers are congregating by the side of the railway.Eddie Mitchell
Emergency services have asked people to avoid the area

A train has derailed in East Sussex, closing several rail routes in the area.

Network Rail said the 14:24 BST Southern passenger service from London Victoria to Eastbourne came off the tracks in the Lewes area shortly before 16:00 BST.

Emergency services are at the scene close to Lewes station and have asked members of the public to avoid the area.

A source from the Department for Transport has told the BBC that the latest understanding is that there are "no serious injuries or fatalities".

Network Rail said the derailment had "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," a spokesperson said.

"Major disruption is expected until 22:00."

Southern advised passengers not to travel between Brighton, Lewes, Haywards Heath, Seaford and Eastbourne for the rest of Thursday.

Tickets are being accepted on alternative Southern, Thameslink and Gatwick Express services with rail replacement buses arranged for travel to Lewes and to Haywards Heath.

The railway operator advised those travelling to Gatwick to allow "at least an extra 150 minutes for your journey" or use an alternative route.

'Smoke and dust were pouring in'

Rob Bradley, who was on the train with his six-year-old daughter, said: "Our carriage actually jumped upwards and you could tell there was a derailment.

"The emergency brakes then went on the train and everything got thrown forward.

"The train kind of skidded for quite a while before it stopped.

"Only then, when we turned around, did we see the whole back of the train was open and smoke and dust were pouring into the carriage."

Watch: 'My instinct was to grab my six-year-old daughter', says passenger

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said on X: "Grateful to emergency services who are on the scene supporting those impacted.

"We are working quickly with the rail industry and local partners to assist passengers."

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