Two people have been seriously injured and a further 18 were hurt after a train was derailed between Haywards Heath and Lewes in Sussex.
Emergency services issued an update after a “major incident” was declared when three carriages were derailed onto their side at 3.54pm on Thursday, leaving a number of people trapped. They have now been safely evacuated, British Transport Police has said.
The two categorised as severe were conveyed to a major trauma centre, while the remaining were classed as “a mix of injuries of varying severity.”
A Network Rail figure said that the railway between Lewes and Hayward Heath would remain closed whilst the emergency response continued and specialist teams carried out the “complex task of assessing the damage to the train and the infrastructure.”
The Rail Accident Investigation Branch has also deployed a team to establish what happened.
Transport secretary Heidi Alexander said she was “deeply concerned” by the incident which involved a Southern Railway train travelling from London Victoria to Eastbourne.
Have you witnessed the crash or have pictures from the scene? Email bryony.gooch.ind@independent.co.uk
Key Points
- Major incident declared after three carriages derailed
- 20 people were hospitalised with a 'mix of injuries of varying severity'
- Disruption to continue until 'at least the end of the day', Southern Rail says
- Gatwick travellers warned to add at least 150 minutes to journey
Recap: What is rail buckling and is that what happened in east Sussex?
07:00 , Bryony Gooch
Tracks can “buckle” when the steel rails expand and start to curve in the heat.
Rails in direct sunlight can be up to 20C hotter than the air temperature, according to Network Rail.
While most of the network can operate when track temperatures reach up to 46C, roughly equivalent to an air temperature of around 30C, rails have been recorded at temperatures as high as 51C.
It remains unclear whether the bends in the track are from buckling or from where the train was derailed for other reasons. RAIB is currently investigating the matter.
Pictured: Air ambulance deployed over derailment on Thursday
06:00 , Bryony Gooch
Recap: Gatwick travellers warned to add at least 150 minutes to journey
05:00 , Bryony Gooch
Travellers hoping to reach Gatwick Airport have been advised to add at least an extra 150 minutes to their journey to ensure they meet flight connections.
Watch: Scene of the Lewes train derailment that injured over 18 passengers
04:00 , Bryony Gooch
Watch: Aerial footage shows scores of emergency responders at scene of Lewes train derailment
03:00 , Bryony Gooch
In pictures: emergency services remain at the scene where three carriages were derailed
02:00 , Bryony Gooch
Recap: Network Rail route director 'shocked and saddened' by derailment
01:00 , Bryony Gooch
Lucy McAuliffe, Network Rail route director for Sussex, said she was “shocked and saddened” by the derailment near Lewes.
She told a press conference: “The railway between Haywards Heath and Lewes is closed and is likely to remain closed as the emergency response continues and specialist teams carry out the complex task of assessing the damage to the train and the infrastructure.
“I understand that people will have lots of questions about what has happened today.
“I would like to reassure everyone that we are working closely the Rail Accident Investigation Branch, who are on site to establish exactly what has happened.
“At the moment, it would be inappropriate to comment as to the cause of this incident but more information would be provided as soon as we can.”
Mapped: Train derailment near Lewes, East Sussex
Friday 14 August 2026 00:00 , Bryony Gooch
Major disruption is expected to continue until further notice
Thursday 13 August 2026 23:00 , Bryony Gooch
The major disruption on the railway lines is expected to continue until further notice as emergency services and Network Rail engineers work on the derailment in east Sussex.
Disruption is expected to go on into Friday.
No timeline given for when railway can safely reopen
Thursday 13 August 2026 22:57 , Bryony Gooch
No timetable can be given for when the railway will be able to “safely reopen” after the derailment near Lewes, Network Rail has said.
Lucy McAuliffe, Network Rail route director for Sussex, told a press conference: “This is an evolving and complex situation.
“We will provide updates as soon as we have a clear understanding of the recovery work required and when the railway can safely reopen.”
She urged passengers to check before they travel.
She added: “I can only apologise to everyone who has been impacted by this incident but I also must thank the local response teams and community for everything they have done to support the response to this situation.”
Two seriously injured as train derails and carriages topple sideways in ‘terrifying’ experience
Thursday 13 August 2026 22:30 , Bryony Gooch
Passengers injured as train derails and carriages topple sideways
In pictures: Emergency services give update on derailment
Thursday 13 August 2026 22:10 , Bryony Gooch
Watch: Passenger describes moment train derailed near Lewes
Thursday 13 August 2026 22:06 , Bryony Gooch
Press conference finished
Thursday 13 August 2026 21:48 , Bryony Gooch
Leaders from the emergency services have finished their press conference.
20 people were hospitalised with a 'mix of injuries of varying severity'
Thursday 13 August 2026 21:42 , Bryony Gooch
Michael Bradfield, the Deputy Chief Paramedic Officer at the South East Coast Ambulance Service, said 20 people ended up in hospital following the derailment with a “mix of injuries of varyin severity”.
“We conveyed 18 people. As my colleague said, there were 20 people who went to hospital. We believe there were two who have made their own way and self-presented at hospital.
“There are a range of injuries, two of which were categorized as severe and were conveyed to a major trauma center. The remaining are a mix of injuries of varying severity.”
Tracks between Lewes and Hayward Heath to remain closed until further notice says Network Rail boss
Thursday 13 August 2026 21:39 , Bryony Gooch
Lucy McAuliffe, the route director for Network Rail for Sussex, has said the railway between Lewes and Hayward Heath will remain closed until further notice.
“The railway between Lewes and Hayward Heath is closed and is likely to remain closed whilst the emergency response continues, and specialist teams carry out the complex task of assessing the damage to the train and the infrastructure.”
Local community thanked for helping in emergency
Thursday 13 August 2026 21:37 , Bryony Gooch
British Transport Police Superintendent Dominique Ioannou has thanked officers and the local community for help
“First and foremost, our thoughts are with everyone affected by this incident.
“I'd also like to recognize our officers and emergency service colleagues who have worked incredibly hard this evening in particularly challenging temperatures.
“I'd also like to thank the local community, shopkeepers, and the community center, whose kindness in supporting the emergency services response and passengers has been felt incredibly strongly.”
20 people have been injured, police say
Thursday 13 August 2026 21:36 , Bryony Gooch
British Transport Police Superintendent Dominique Ioannou has said two people were seriously injured and a further 18 sustained less serious wounds.
“At this stage, we know that two people have sustained serious injuries, and a further 18 have suffered less serious injuries.
“Those injured were assessed and treated at the scene, with some taken to local hospitals for further treatment.”
