Track was inspected the day before Lewes train derailed

Three carriages of a Southern Rail service heading from London Victoria to Eastbourne derailed just before 4pm this afternoon (Thursday, August 13), close to Lewes station.

The cause has not yet been established.

However, Southern said in an X post on Wednesday evening (August 12) that "a safety inspection of the track" was taking place between Lewes and Haywards Heath.

The rail operator warned passengers that northbound services through the area could be delayed by up to 15 minutes while the inspection was under way.

An aerial shot showing the derailed carriages and the buckled line (Image: Eddie Mitchell)

Just under 24 hours later, Southern said on X a train had derailed "in the area between Haywards Heath and Lewes".

It has not been confirmed whether the section of track inspected on Wednesday was the same piece of railway where Thursday’s derailment happened.

Images from above the scene showed appeared to show parts of the track that had buckled.

A local resident at the scene told The Argus he had seen a long and heavy freight train pass through the same section of track earlier in the day.

You can follow our live coverage of the ongoing incident here: Live updates as trains derails near Lewes in East Sussex | The Argus

The derailment on Thursday afternoon prompted a major emergency response.

British Transport Police said officers were called to reports of a derailed train near Lewes station at around 3.45pm.

A major incident was declared.

Passengers were initially trapped on board but were later safely evacuated from the train.

British Transport Police said 20 people were in hospital and two people had sustained serious injuries.

Passengers leaving the derailed train this afternoon (Image: Dan Jessup)

Those injured were assessed and treated at the scene, with some taken to local hospitals for further care.

Emergency services, including police, fire crews, and ambulance crews, remained at the scene throughout the evening.

The Rail Accident Investigation Branch has sent inspectors to the site to establish what happened.

In a statement on Thursday evening, a spokesperson for BTP said: "I’d like to reassure the public that we’ll be working closely with the Rail Accident Investigation Branch to establish exactly what happened this evening, and we’ll provide further updates when we’re able to."

Speaking earlier at the scene, a local resident called Mike described seeing a large freight train pass over the same section of track today.

He said: "I was going fishing this morning.

"I crossed over the track on a bridge, when a cargo train went through with about 20 carriages on it.

"It must have had 20 tonnes on each carriage," he estimated. "That's not going to do the railway line any good is it?"

Southern Rail have been contacted for comment.