- See more Daily Mail on Google – save us as a Preferred Source
A rail track defect existed in the area where a train derailed in East Sussex last week, injuring 30 people, investigators said today.
An interim report by the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) said CCTV images from preceding services on the line show the fault, which it described as a ‘track geometry irregularity’.
Preliminary analysis of the derailed train’s onboard data recorder show it was travelling at about 65mph as it approached the point of derailment in Lewes at 3.54pm on August 13.
About 150 people were onboard the eight-carriage Southern train from London Victoria to Eastbourne. Three carriages ended up on their side, trapping passengers.
A total of 30 people were injured, included 20 who required hospital treatment, the RAIB said.
The RAIB said its investigation will consider the weather conditions on August 13, which were hot and sunny, as well as the status of the track, embankment, condition of the train and the effectiveness of any measures taken to address potential issues caused by hot weather.
Aerial view of the scene near Lewes after two people were seriously injured by the derailment
Investigators are looking into whether the tracks expanded in the heat and started to warp
A British Transport Police scene manager and investigators at the scene near Lewes last week
Rear-facing CCTV from an earlier train which passed the accident location at about 2.04pm on the same afternoon. The ‘track’ irregularity can be seen next to the white ballast bags.
After the RAIB’s update today, a joint statement was issued by Lucy McAuliffe, Sussex route director at Network Rail, and John Whitehurst, chief executive officer at Greater Thameslink Railway, which operates Southern.
They said: ‘We are very sorry that this happened on our railway. Our thoughts remain with everyone affected, especially those who were injured and the family and friends of those on board the train.
‘We also recognise the ongoing impact the incident has had on customers, local communities and railway colleagues.
‘Safety is and will always remain our highest priority. While Britain’s railway is one of the safest in the world, when incidents like this occur it is essential that we understand exactly what happened and identify any lessons that can be learned.
‘We will carefully consider any recommendations arising from the investigation and work across the industry to implement them, with the shared goal of making an already safe railway even safer for our customers, colleagues and the communities we serve.’
More to follow
