A Southern Rail service from London Victoria to Eastbourne derailed near Lewes, East Sussex, on August 13, 2026, shortly before 4 pm BST. Approximately 150 people were onboard the 14:24 BST train when three of its carriages left the tracks.
Injuries and Evacuations
Two passengers sustained serious injuries and 18 others were hurt, with police confirming that none of the injuries were life-threatening. Following the derailment, passengers were trapped before being evacuated onto the railway track.
Service Disruptions and Replacement Transport
Network Rail and Southern Rail have closed the line between Haywards Heath and Lewes indefinitely in both directions. Trains between London Victoria and Eastbourne are cancelled for
the weekend following the accident. Cooksbridge and Plumpton stations will not be served, with rail replacement bus services operating. Passengers have been advised to travel to Eastbourne via Brighton along the coast.
Investigation and Official Statements
Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) investigators are onsite examining the derailed train, railway infrastructure, and reviewing CCTV, signalling, and train data. A command centre has been established in a nearby field, involving emergency teams, Network Rail, and RAIB. An RAIB spokesperson stated that an update on the investigation will be issued the following week.
Lucy McAuliffe, Sussex Route Director for Network Rail, called the incident “shocking and saddening”
while confirming the ongoing line closure. She also expressed gratitude to emergency services and the local community. John Whitehouse, CEO of Greater Thameslink Railway, operating Southern Rail, emphasized the rarity of such incidents and affirmed the railway’s safety. British Transport Police appealed for passengers who have not yet spoken to authorities to come forward.
Passenger Accounts and Emergency Response
Passenger Rachel Heath described the train’s motion as “bumping up and down and then jostling from side to side like a seesaw,” recalling widespread panic and fear. She reported that the carriage was “almost lifted into the air” before falling on its side. Another passenger, Tracy
McGregor, recalled the carriage carving through earth and mud, with everyone finishing covered in mud after the train came to a stop.
Emergency services, including East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service, responded promptly. Lewes District Council’s deputy leader, Christine Robinson, praised their swift and coordinated actions, noting that casualty numbers would have been higher without their efforts. A community hub at Lamport provided medical support and shelter from temperatures reaching the 30s Celsius.
Preparations were underway on August 14 to use a crane to remove the derailed carriages.
Related Incidents and Weather Considerations
A separate derailment occurred near Wickford in Essex on August 14 involving
a Greater Anglia train. Network Rail’s safety director confirmed investigations will assess whether the heat affected the tracks or infrastructure at both sites. No speed restrictions were in place at the time on the Lewes line, and the track section involved had been inspected the day before the derailment. Officials have not declared a cause, stating it is too early to speculate.
