A significant disruption to rail services has occurred in East Sussex following the derailment of a Southern passenger train. The incident took place in the Lewes area shortly before 16:00 BST, leading to the immediate closure of several crucial rail routes. Emergency services, including the British Transport Police, paramedics, and the fire service, swiftly responded to the scene, located near Lewes station. Authorities have urged the public to avoid the affected area to facilitate their operations and have advised anyone planning to travel by rail in the vicinity to anticipate delays of up to an hour.
Network Rail and Southern Rail issued a joint statement acknowledging the derailment and confirming the presence of emergency personnel. They assured the public that further information would be released as it becomes available. The South East Coast Ambulance Service also confirmed its attendance at the site, which is situated on the line connecting Haywards Heath and Lewes.
In response to the unfolding situation, Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander expressed gratitude to the emergency services on X (formerly Twitter) for their prompt response and support to those impacted. She further stated that collaborative efforts are underway with the rail industry and local partners to provide assistance to passengers affected by the disruption. This breaking news story continues to develop, and updates are expected as investigations proceed and the situation evolves.
