East Sussex passenger train derails; no deaths or critical injuries reported
A Southern passenger train derailed between Haywards Heath and Lewes on August 13, closing several routes; officials said all passengers were off the train and no deaths or critical injuries were reported.
In short
- A Southern passenger train derailed between Haywards Heath and Lewes on August 13, closing several routes; officials said all passengers were off the train and no deaths or critical injuries were reported.
A passenger train derailed between Haywards Heath and Lewes in East Sussex on Thursday, August 13, 2026, closing several rail routes and prompting a multi-agency emergency response.
Official sources said all passengers had been removed from the train and that no deaths or critical injuries were believed to have occurred. Images from the scene showed at least two carriages on their sides.
The Southern service came off the tracks shortly before 4 p.m. local time. British Transport Police said it was responding alongside paramedics and the fire service. Network Rail and Southern Rail confirmed emergency crews were at the site.
The derailment halted trains between Brighton and Lewes, Haywards Heath and Lewes, and Seaford or Eastbourne and Lewes. Southern advised passengers to delay travel in the area or use alternative routes.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said the government was working with the rail industry and local partners to support affected passengers. Authorities had not announced a cause for the derailment at the time of reporting.
