Train derailment updates: Passengers tell of horror in East Sussex

See more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred SourceBy KATHERINE LAWTON, SENIOR NEWS REPORTER Updated: 18:11 BST, 13 August 2026

A passenger train has derailed in East Sussex, trapping passengers in overturned carriages on the hottest day of the year.The eight-carriage train came off the line between Haywards Heath and Lewes at around 3.54pm today, with services set to be cancelled until 10pm.More than 40 people were believed to be trapped inside the train, with three carriages overturned and emergency services rushing to provide first aid.Images from the scene show people standing on top of carriages lying on their sides.Emergency services could be seen stretchering off wounded passengers and escorting others down the tracks. One section of the track appears to have buckled - though there has been no official confirmation of the cause of the derailment. Passengers were being escorted away from the train and along the track, with some reporting seeing warnings on track-side signs about a problem ahead.Follow our live updates below. Key UpdatesEverything we know so farA Southern passenger train has derailed close to Lewes railway station in East Sussex, with the incident happening at around 3.54pm this afternoon.Several of the rear carriages are understood to have come off the tracks and ended up on their sides, with images from the scene showing people on top of the overturned carriages.British Transport Police said officers were called to the scene at 3.54pm, and are responding alongside paramedics and firefighters.South East Coast Ambulance Service has sent a number of ambulance resources, including specialist teams, to the scene.There are currently no reports of fatalities or injuries.Southern is advising passengers not to travel through the area, with major disruption expected until around 10pm. Pictured: People being lead away from the scene by emergency staffEmergency services with a stretcher at the sceneThree air ambulances and 20 other emergency vehicles at the scene It is being reported that three air ambulances and at least 20 other emergency vehicles are at the scene. People can be seen standing on the top of carriages as others are treated by paramedics at the scene, with coach number 7 'completely unaccessible'.Wounded father from the train: 'I saw warning signs before we derailed'Shaking with shock, a father-of-two told how he saw warning signs about problems with the track before the train derailed.Liton Miah from Eastbourne was taking his wife and daughters to see relatives in London when the train overturned near Lewes.He suffered heavy bruising to his side.'I saw on the big board there as a problem with the track.'I don’t know they didn’t take any precautions.'I saved my family and tried to help another couple.'The guy was bleeding heavily and there was not much I could do to help him.'Mr Miah and his family went to the local community centre where injured people are being triaged before treatment.Three carriages on their sidesThree of the trains carriages appear to have rotated onto their sides.One looks to have slipped down the embankment and come to rest on its side.There are two further carriages on their sides that have remained on the track.Transport union: 'Passenger safety and wellbeing must come first'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'.The scene this afternoonNo serious injuries or deathsA source from the Department for Transport has reportedly told the BBC that the latest understanding is that there are 'no serious injuries or fatalities'East Sussex MP calls train derailment 'deeply distressing'Helena Dollimore, the Labour MP for Hastings and Rye in East Sussex, said news of a derailment in the area was 'deeply distressing'.As she urged her constituents to contact her office if they need 'urgent support'.It is deeply distressing to hear that a train on our local line has derailed near Lewes.I have spoken with the Secretary of State for Transport (Heidi Alexander) and the rail minister (Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill) who are keeping me updated on the situation.I know many people locally will be concerned, and the thoughts of everyone are with those affected and the emergency services responding at the scene.Images appear to show tracks buckling Images from the scene appear to show that the train tracks have buckled. This is when steel railways expand in the heat and start to curve.