Questions as probe finds ‘existing defect’ on tracks where train derailed injuring 30 – as CCTV shows buckled rails

WICKFORD, UNITED KINGDOM – AUGUST 14: Emergency services and rail investigation teams attend the scene following a train derailment near Wickford railway station in Essex, United Kingdom, on August 14, 2026. The rear carriages of a Greater Anglia passenger train derailed in an upright position, causing significant travel disruption and line closures between London Liverpool Street and Southend Victoria, with no injuries reported in the incident. (Photo by Jacqueline Lawrie/Anadolu via Getty Images)Credit: Refer to source A PROBE has found an “existing defect” on the tracks before a train derailed injuring 30 people – as CCTV shows pictures of buckled rails. Investigators have now released their initial report into Britain’s second rail derailment in two months after disaster struck last Thursday in Lewes, East Sussex. A probe found an ‘existing defect’ on the tracks before a train derailed in East SussexCredit: Refer to source Investigators said the track showed a ‘track geometry irregularity’ When the train set off from London Victoria – it was a journey like any other, with commuters heading home back into the Sussex countryside. But the rear three carriages of the packed 2.24pm service to Eastbourne left the track around 90 minutes later in scenes of chaos. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! A rail track defect existed in the area where a train derailed in East Sussex last week, injuring 30 people, investigators said. 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”. The horror crash injured 30 people Credit: Eddie Mitchell Passengers waited atop the flipped train for help to arrive – with the buckled track visible Credit: Getty 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. Most read in The Sun 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. In a joint statement from Network Rail and Greater Thameslink Railway, they said they were “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.” They added they will “carefully consider any recommendations” from the investigation and work to implement them. “Given the complexity of the issues being examined, it is important that the independent investigation is allowed to reach its conclusions. We will continue to cooperate fully with the RAIB throughout this process,” they added. Passengers were tossed around inside the train with commuters describing people “dropping from the sky” as the rear three carriages of the eight coach train were thrown down a dusty embankment. The derailment left 40 of the train’s 150 terrified passengers trapped on one of the hottest days of the year.