Two people have been left with 'serious' injuries after a train dramatically derailed near Lewes, East Sussex, as emergency services rushed to the area to come to passengers' aid21:24, 13 Aug 2026Updated 21:47, 13 Aug 2026Desperate passengers climbed on top of a derailed carriage as the latest train crash to rock Britain left 40 terrified travellers trapped with dozens rushed to hospital.‌Two people have been taken to major trauma centres with “severe” injuries after the British Rail Class 377 overturned close to Lewes, East Sussex - just seven weeks after a train driver died in a horror smash near Bedford.‌The scene was described as "pure pandemonium" by witnesses as the busy London commuter train, with more than 150 people on board, came off the tracks, shutting rail routes to and from the capital on the hottest day of the year. The Rail Accident Investigation Branch said a team of inspectors has been sent to the scene.‌The train crashed just before 4pm as the mercury hit 33C in the county, with walking wounded still being escorted off the train almost three hours later. The remaining casualties were ferried home in taxis, or taken to hospital by ambulance.‌Passenger Yana Ludwig, 56, from Washington, USA told the Mirror she heard a loud bang before being thrown from her seat. “It was completely terrifying,” she said. “I was coming back from London and Lewes is my stop.“There was a banging noise and everything went topsy turvy. There was lots of shaking, it felt like a really long time, but it was probably only about 10 seconds. I landed on top of somebody, I’m just glad nobody has so far been killed."The train's journey started at London Victoria and was heading to Eastbourne on the south coast. Three air ambulances arrived alongside around 20 other emergency vehicles.‌The South East Coast Ambulance Service as well as the two serious injuries, another nine people had been less seriously hurt in the derailment.“Patients have been assessed and treated at the scene, with some transported to local hospitals for further treatment and care," the service said. “This remains a complex and ongoing multi-agency response. Our priority continues to be providing care to those affected and ensuring the safety of everyone involved."‌Local resident Oriana Evans said she and her son helped casualties who were led off the train towards the community centre at Lewes, showing them where to go, including some passengers who were on holiday.“I walked and chatted to some of them in shock really,” the 54-year-old jewellery maker said. “They were in the carriages that rolled over.”‌She said they told her they were alright but “really bruised”.Other residents could be seen outside their homes in front of lines of emergency service vehicles and walking down to the community hub with chairs for casualties to sit on.‌A bus was parked up by the hub awaiting for passengers to board, as well as taxis and one passenger could be seen being taken away in an ambulance.Rob Bradley, who was on the train with his six-year-old daughter Mabel, said: "It was pandemonium. I could feel the carriage rocking, then it jumped. The emergency brakes slammed on and everyone got thrown forward."Last month, driver Kerry Coombes was killed and a child was left fighting for their life following a collision between a train and the woman's car in Hoghton, Lancashire.Article continues belowThe train driver killed in the rail crash near Bedford earlier this summer was named as Shaun Burton. The 60-year-old died from "traumatic injuries to the brainstem and chest, pending further investigation" following the crash on June 19, a report from HM Coroner's Office states.