Two people suffered serious injuries after a Southern passenger train carrying about 150 people derailed close to Lewes railway station on Thursday afternoon, prompting British Transport Police (BTP) to declare a major incident.
Rescue and response
Three carriages came off the rails and ended up on their sides, trapping some people inside before emergency teams carried out an evacuation. BTP said the train, which was operating from London Victoria to Eastbourne, has now been safely evacuated and that the incident remains a "complex and ongoing multi-agency response".
Ambulance, fire and police units were deployed along Landport Road in Lewes. South East Coast Ambulance Service confirmed that patients were assessed and treated at the scene; some were transported to local hospitals, while others who did not require hospital treatment were taken to a nearby community centre for support from partner agencies.
“It seemed like a really long time but it probably was 10 seconds of that before the carriage actually fell on the side,”
The account above was given by Yana Ludwig, a 56-year-old passenger who was travelling alone from London. She described the moments after the derailment as "completely terrifying" and said passengers helped one another, adding that she felt "pretty banged up." Local residents also assisted casualties at the scene.
Casualties and passenger care
At present, BTP believes two people sustained serious injuries, and a further nine suffered less serious injuries. Emergency services confirmed that a number of passengers received treatment on site; at least one person was transported away in an ambulance. A double-decker bus was stationed by the community hub to assist with onward transport for evacuated passengers.
- Train: London Victoria to Eastbourne (Southern)
- Passengers on board: around 150
- Carriages derailed: three, reportedly on their sides
- Casualties: 2 serious, 9 less serious (BTP estimate)
Impact and next steps
Services on the route are likely to be disrupted while investigators and recovery teams work at the scene. BTP and other agencies will continue their inquiry into the cause of the derailment; rail operators and emergency services are co-ordinating to support passengers and manage the response.
| Agency | Role |
|---|---|
| British Transport Police | Declared major incident; coordinating scene response |
| South East Coast Ambulance Service | On‑scene treatment; transport to hospitals; support at community centre |
| Fire & Rescue / Local police | Rescue, scene safety and traffic management |
Local travellers should expect ongoing disruption on the Brighton Main Line and coastal routes while recovery continues. Passengers with planned journeys on Southern services via Lewes should check operator updates and National Rail for the latest information.
This office will follow developments as official updates are issued by emergency services and the rail operator.
