Lewes derailment sparks rush hour travel chaos as trains cancelled for hours in ‘major disruption’ & commuters stuck

COMMUTERS are facing rush hour chaos with trains cancelled for hours after a derailment near Lewes sparked travel misery. Dozens of passengers are feared to be trapped in overturned carriages following the horror in East Sussex, just before 4pm today. A train has derailed at Lewes sparking travel chaos for hundreds of commuters Credit: Supplied Dozens of passengers are understood to be trapped Credit: @Defianc_e/X The horror crash has sparked chaos and “major disruption” accross the entire Sussex coastal network during peak hours. Busy routes including both ways from Brighton to London have all been affected. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! Passengers who are travelling to and from London to Brighton will be able get on the following services at no additional cost, according to National Rail. National Rail said that travellers could hop on Southern services between Brighton and London Victoria, Thameslink services between Brighton and London Victoria and Gatwick Express services between Brighton and London Victoria The disruption is expected to last until at least 10pm tonight, said National Rail. Most trains between Brighton and Lewes have been cancelled, said Southern Rail. There is also no service at all between Haywards Heath and Lewes as well as between Seaford/Eastbourne and Lewes. The Cooksbridge and Plumpton stations have also been shut. Most read in The Sun Emergency crews were scrambled to the crash Credit: Supplied Southern Rail have advised passengers to delay journeys in this area until later on today. Those travelling have also been advised to plan ahead and take alternative routes. Commuters who wanted to travel through Lewes have been advised to get on the following services at no additional cost. Passengers can get on the London Underground between all London terminals and various Brighton & Hove bus routes. Travellers can get on the following bus services: 28 – Brighton (St Peter’s Church), Moulsecoomb (Brighton University), Falmer, Lewes (Post Office / Law Courts), Polegate, and Eastbourne – 29 / 29B / 29X – Brighton (St Peter’s Church), Moulsecoomb (Brighton University), Falmer, Lewes (Post Office / Law Courts), Uckfield, Crowborough, Eridge, and Tunbridge Wells. Cops, paramedics and fire crews scrambled to the crash after the train derailed at around 3.54pm. Pictures showed passengers climbing on top of the train and being ushered into a nearby field by emergency crews. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said she was “deeply concerned” following news of the derailment. Writing on X, she said: “Deeply concerned of reports of a derailment involving a Southern train in Lewes, Sussex. “Grateful to emergency services who are on the scene supporting those impacted. “We are working quickly with the rail industry and local partners to assist passengers.” British Transport Police said: “Officers are currently on scene close to Lewes railway station following reports of a derailed train at 3.54pm today. “We’re responding alongside paramedics and the fire service and will provide more information as soon as we can.” Officers from Sussex Police are also in attendance, the force confirmed.