Second train derails in less than 24 hours: Carriages come off tracks a day after 20 people were injured in Lewes crash on hottest day of the year

A train has derailed in Essex less than a day after 20 people were injured in a similar incident in Sussex on the hottest day of the year.

The Greater Anglia service came off the tracks at Wickford, near Basildon, at 2.12pm but remained in an upright position.

Between 40 and 45 passengers were on board, according to Basildon Council, but no injuries have been reported.

Images shared on social media suggest that the train – which is believed to have been travelling from Southend Victoria to London Liverpool Street – slipped off the track and bumped into the overhead cable.

It comes less than 24 hours after two passengers suffered serious injuries when a Southern Rail service from London Victoria to Eastbourne derailed at 2.24pm near Lewes, East Sussex. 

The incident took place on the hottest day of the year, with temperatures topping 38C. 

While the cause of the crash, which saw the train tip onto its side, is unknown, experts have suggested soaring temperatures may have caused the tracks or embankment beneath them to buckle. 

Earlier today, train bosses insisted the UK’s railway network remained safe in the hot weather. 

Less than 24 hours since a train derailed near Lewes in East Sussex, a Greater Anglia train from London Liverpool Street to Southend Victoria has derailed near Wickford station in Essex

Images shared on social media show a train that appears to have come off the tracks but has remained upright

Police, ambulance and fire crews are all present at the scene where the train, carrying around 40 to 45 passengers, derailed 

Chief executive of Greater Thameslink Railway, John Whitehurst, described derailments as ‘incredibly rare’. 

Images show rail staff, police and members of the Rail Accident Investigation Bureau (RAIB) near the tracks. 

Rail expert Philip Haigh says it was Greater Anglia train 720131 and derailed on approach to Wickford station.

It is understood the train involved in today’s incident was the 1.51pm Southend Victoria to London Liverpool Street service.

Greater Anglia trains running between the two stations have been cancelled for the rest of the day.

Andrew Gilligan, head of transport and infrastructure at Policy Exchange, told the Daily Mail: ‘Two derailments in less than 24 hours may put confidence at risk – and may lead to wider disruption as trains all over the country are slowed down.

‘But the Sussex derailment also shows how strong modern trains are – a similar incident on a crowded train 25 years ago would probably have broken up the carriages which came off the rails, killing people.’

A British Transport Police (BTP) spokesman said: ‘Officers are currently on scene at Wickford railway station in Essex following reports that the rear carriages of a train have derailed in an upright position at 2.12pm today. 

‘We’re responding alongside paramedics and the fire service. There are currently no reported injuries.’

A spokesman for the Department for Transport said: ‘We are aware of a derailment involving a Greater Anglia train near Wickford, Essex.

‘The train is upright, there are no reported injuries and investigators have already been deployed to the site.

‘Our railways remain amongst the safest in the world and while incidents like this are extremely rare, when they do occur, they are taken very seriously.’

Greater Anglia trains running between Southend Victoria to London Liverpool Street have been cancelled for the rest of today

Two people were seriously injured following the train derailment in East Sussex yesterday

A Network Rail spokesman said: ‘We are dealing with a derailment incident in Anglia, and we are working quickly to understand the situation and to provide assistance where needed. We will provide further information in due course.’

Earlier today, BTP provided an update on the Lewes incident, saying two people had been taken to major trauma centres with severe injuries.

A statement said: ‘They both remain in hospital and the 18 people who were also treated at hospital for less serious injuries have been discharged.’

Assistant Chief Constable Ian Drummond-Smith said: ‘Our thoughts remain firmly with those who were injured and their loved ones. On behalf of BTP, I wish them a full and speedy recovery.’

He added that the public can expect to see a ‘continued police presence’ at the scene in the coming days as the RAIB’s investigation into the cause continues. 

The senior officer also paid tribute to communities and emergency services who responded to the derailment.

He said: ‘Local Lewes residents and business owners came out in their droves to support affected passengers, providing water and refreshments in extremely hot conditions.

‘My thanks and appreciation go to them, as well as our officers and emergency service colleagues whose professionalism ensured those on board were brought to safety in incredibly challenging circumstances.’

The force is appealing for anyone on-board the derailed train who has not already spoken to police to come forward.

Images taken in the aftermath of the incident showed a long section of track had buckled.

Rail bosses will investigate whether the steel tracks expanded in the heat and started to warp 

Experts suggest that soaring temperatures may have caused the tracks or embankment beneath them to buckle before the train derailment in East Sussex 

Passengers could be seen sitting at an angle in the overturned train at Lewes yesterday

Passengers stood on top of the wreckage as they scrambled out of carriages that had upturned close to Lewes rail station.

Some could be seen on stretchers being taken to hospital. Many of those who did not require hospital treatment were taken to a local community centre to be triaged.

The cause of the derailment of the 2.24pm Southern service from London Victoria to Eastbourne has not yet been confirmed. 

Early speculation focused on the possibility that the steel tracks expanded in the heat and started to warp but investigators have yet to establish what caused the train to leave the rails.

Posting on Facebook today, one passenger Tracy McGregor described the derailment as ‘the most frightening experience of my life’.

She wrote: ‘This morning I feel incredibly lucky to be okay after what happened yesterday afternoon.

I was on the train that derailed near Lewes – without question the most frightening experience of my life.

‘I was in one of the rear carriages, which tipped onto its side and came off the tracks into a field. After tipping over, the train seemed to keep travelling at speed for what felt like ages, and we had no idea when or how it would stop.

‘My side window finally ended up on the ground, down in the trees – thank goodness it was a soft landing; someone said we took out a tree on the way!

‘Where the train had carved through the field, the carriages were full of earth and everyone was covered in mud.

‘We climbed out through the doors, which were now above us, and the other passengers all joined together to lift people out. It was truly terrifying, and thank God everyone was ok.’

John Whitehurst, chief executive of Greater Thameslink Railway, said on Friday derailments are ‘incredibly rare’, adding that what happened near Lewes ‘was a very serious incident and I’m deeply saddened by it’.

Asked on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme if the railway was safe in hot weather, Mr Whitehurst said: ‘The railway is safe. These types of incidents are incredibly rare.

‘We have control processes in place that involve inspection, temporary speed restrictions or even suspending services if that’s required.’