Second train derails in less than 24 hours: Carriages come off tracks a day after 20 people were injured in Lewes crash on hottest day of the year

See more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred Source Published: 10:10 EDT, 14 August 2026 | Updated: 10:46 EDT, 14 August 2026 A second train has derailed less than 24 hours after 20 people were injured in a similar incident at Lewes on the hottest day of the year. The latest derailment occurred at Wickford in Essex this afternoon and involved a Greater Anglia service.Pictures shared on social media show a train that has come off the tracks but has remained upright. It appears to have bumped into the overhead cable and come to a halt just outside the station. Other videos show a number of emergency service vehicles parked outside Wickford Station. There have been no reported injuries.It comes less than 24 hours after two passengers suffered serious injuries when a Southern Rail train tipped onto its side after the track buckled yesterday afternoon. The incident occurred on the hottest day of the year - with temperatures reaching above 38C. Earlier today, the chief executive of Greater Thameslink Railway, John Whitehurst, insisted the railway network was safe in the hot weather and that derailments were rare. Pictures shared on social media show a train that appears to have come off the tracks but has remained upright Two people were seriously injured following the train derailment in East Sussex yesterday Rail bosses will investigate whether the steel tracks expanded in the heat and started to warp It is understood the train involved in the incident at Wickford was the 1.51pm Southend Victoria to London Liverpool Street service.Greater Anglia trains running between the two stations have been cancelled for the rest of the day.A BTP spokesman said: 'Officers are currently on scene at Wickford railway station in Essex following reports that the rear carriages of a train have derailed in an upright position at 2.12pm today. 'We’re responding alongside paramedics and the fire service. There are currently no reported injuries.'Earlier today, British Transport Police provided an update on the incident in Lewes, saying two people had been taken to major trauma centres with 'severe' injuries. A statement said: 'They both remain in hospital and the 18 people who were also treated at hospital for less serious injuries have been discharged.'Assistant Chief Constable Ian Drummond-Smith added: 'Our thoughts remain firmly with those who were injured and their loved ones. On behalf of BTP, I wish them a full and speedy recovery.'The force is appealing for anyone on board the derailed train who have not already spoken to police to come forward.Images taken in the aftermath of the incident showed a long section of track had buckled.Passengers stood on top of the wreckage as they scrambled out of carriages that had upturned close to Lewes rail station.Some could be seen on stretchers being taken to hospital. Many of those who did not require hospital treatment were taken to a local community centre to be triaged.The cause of the derailment of the 2.24pm Southern service from London Victoria to Eastbourne has not yet been confirmed. Early speculation focused on the possibility that the steel tracks expanded in the heat and started to warp but investigators have yet to establish what caused the train to leave the rails.Posting on Facebook today, one passenger Tracy McGregor described the derailment as 'the most frightening experience of my life'.She wrote: 'This morning I feel incredibly lucky to be okay after what happened yesterday afternoon.I was on the train that derailed near Lewes - without question the most frightening experience of my life.'I was in one of the rear carriages, which tipped onto its side and came off the tracks into a field. After tipping over, the train seemed to keep travelling at speed for what felt like ages, and we had no idea when or how it would stop.'My side window finally ended up on the ground, down in the trees - thank goodness it was a soft landing; someone said we took out a tree on the way!'Where the train had carved through the field, the carriages were full of earth and everyone was covered in mud.'We climbed out through the doors, which were now above us, and the other passengers all joined together to lift people out. It was truly terrifying, and thank God everyone was ok.'This is a breaking news story - more to follow