Katy Austin
Transport correspondent

Photos showing what appears to be buckled track will prompt questions over whether that was a factor in this derailment.

The answer right now is that we can’t know for sure. It is not possible to be certain at this stage if the rails were already in that shape before the train arrived, or whether the bent shape is damage sustained due to the derailment.

However, it has been an exceptionally hot day, and it is known that rails can buckle in extremely high temperatures. Network Rail says the steel tracks can get 20 degrees hotter than the air temperature, and this can lead to them starting to curve.

Speed restrictions are one method that can be used as a precaution if there’s thought to be a risk of rails expanding.

Specialist investigators will look into exactly what has happened and why.

Aerial shots from the scene in East Sussex show the rear three carriages of the train left the tracks.

The affected service was the 14:24 Southern train from London Victoria to Eastbourne, which the BBC understands left the tracks in the Landport area of Lewes.

Verified image shows buckled tracks and passengers on top of derailed trainpublished at 18:06 BST

18:06 BST

By Richard Irvine-Brown

BBC Verify has confirmed that a picture of people standing on top of an overturned carriage was taken just north of Lewes station.

The image shows what appears to be a buckled track and at least four people standing on it.

We’ve checked features seen in the image - like the treeline off to the left of the shot - and can say the incident happened between Landport Road and the River Ouse about a mile north of the town’s railway station.

Image source, Jeremy Veitch

What we know:

• A passenger train has derailed in the area between Haywards Heath and Lewes in East Sussex shortly before 16:00 BST
• Photos from the scene show three carriages of the train on its side, with emergency service vehicles surrounding it and people standing on top of the sideways tilted carriages
• South East Coast Ambulance Service, East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service and British Transport Police are among the emergency services at the scene
• Network Rail says major disruption is expected until 22:00 BST, with Southern Rail saying no trains are running between Lewes and Brighton, Haywards Heath, Seaford and Eastbourne
• A passenger who was in carriage four of the train said it derailed from carriage five.
• Passengers on other trains which are not moving have been told by the operator to remain on their train and await further updates from the crew

What we don't know:

• What caused the train to derail
• The full extent of any injuries, although the BBC understands there have been no serious injuries or fatalities.
• Whether the incident will have any further impact on the wider rail network - including the length of any disruption and if more routes will be affected

Rob Bradley was on the train from London Victoria to Eastbourne with his six year old daughter Mabel.

"We are doing okay, we were very lucky we were on the fourth carriage. The fifth went on its side," he tells BBC News.

He says that 30 seconds before the derailment, his daughter was dancing between carriage four and five.

"As she sat down we felt the train speeding up and started to rock. Then our carriage jumped vertically upwards and we could tell it was a derailment. The emergency brakes went on the train and everything got thrown forward.

"The train skidded for quite a while before it stopped. We turned around and we saw the whole back of the train was open and smoke and dust were pouring into the carriage and we saw the fifth carriage had gone on its side."

He says a number of air ambulances flew in, and he saw people with head injuries, blood and cuts.

We have now heard from the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB), which is responsible for investigating incidents such as the Lewes derailment.

In a statement on X, it says it is "deploying a team of inspectors to the site of a passenger train derailment near to Lewes, East Sussex, to begin gathering evidence".

Southern Railway has told passengers "do not travel" in the affected area for the rest of the day.

This affects trains travelling on routes between Brighton, Lewes, Haywards Heath, Seaford and Eastbourne, with the majority of trains cancelled.

The affected train was the 14:24 Southern service from London Victoria to Eastbourne.

The TSSA transport union has said it is "deeply concerned" by the derailment near Lewes, adding its thoughts are with everyone affected.

It adds in a statement: "With a large number of passengers involved, their safety and wellbeing must come first."

UK train drivers' union Aslef has said it is aware of the derailment and asks the public to "allow the emergency services to do their job and refrain from speculation at this time".

Image source, Eddie Mitchell

New pictures sent into us show carriages have left the tracks of the Southern service.

A large emergency service presence can also be spotted at the scene.

Ben Motley
Live reporter in Lewes

I am standing on a hill above the town of Lewes and can see the train from a distance.

There is one carriage - the rear carriage - completely on its side at the bottom of the small embankment that the railway runs along.

There are two further carriages on their sides on the track.

We saw a number of people being brought away from the train in the searing heat. They have now walked on a dusty track into a housing estate.

I've seen lots of ambulances and fire engines.

There are three helicopters waiting in a field.

The BBC News helicopter is currently above the scene of the derailment, showing the current situation.

You can view the footage of the scene in the live stream at the top of the live page.

Katy Austin
Transport correspondent

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

Lewes Railway Station sits near the town centre and connects it to Brighton, Eastbourne and the rest of East Sussex.

The BBC understands that the incident took place in the Landport Road area of Lewes.

Network Rail has confirmed that no trains can run through between Haywards Heath and Lewes "until further notice".

Passengers travelling by rail should allow an extra 60 minutes if travelling in the affected area, Southern Rail says - while passengers travelling to Gatwick Airport are being asked to allow an extra 90 minutes.

Cooksbridge and Plumpton will not be served until further notice, they added.

A spokesperson for South East Coast Ambulance service said it was "currently responding to reports of an incident near Lewes Railway Station in Sussex".

They added: "We were called shortly before 16:00 BST 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."

Lewes MP James MacCleary has said in a social media post that the derailment is a "very serious and developing incident".

He added: "I am aware of very concerning reports of a train crash in the Lewes area this afternoon.

"I am in touch with the relevant authorities now and will provide further updates as soon as I have more information.

"This is clearly a very serious and developing incident, and my thoughts are with everyone affected.

In the meantime, if you are concerned about someone or need urgent assistance, please contact the emergency services."

Ben Motley
Live reporter

The BBC's Ben Motley is near the site of the derailment, here's what he told BBC Radio Sussex:

I'm about a kilometre from the scene of the derailment.

One carriage is on its side at the bottom of a small embankment, with two other carriages on their side as well.

I can see three helicopters that have landed in a bend in the river, between the railway and the river.

There are many, many ambulances and fire engines down below tending to it.

I can see people - presumably passengers - being brought under a bridge under the railway to some of the vehicles that are waiting.

Earlier this afternoon emergency services were seen arriving at Lewes Railway Station following the derailment.

BBC reporter Nathalie Edell took this photo from the scene.

The train operator Southern Rail has confirmed that 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," it has posted on X, external.

The operator adds: "At this time, no trains can run between: Brighton and Lewes, Haywards Heath and Lewes, Seaford/Eastbourne and Lewes."

The train operator says people should delay their journeys until later on today or use an alternative route to travel.