Train derails in East Sussex: Multiple air ambulances take off from scene as passengers tell of horror after carriages come off tracks near Lewes

See more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred Source Updated: 14:10 EDT, 13 August 2026 A fleet of air ambulances has taken off to evacuate the final wounded passengers from a train that derailed in East Sussex this afternoon.Families have told of their terror at being thrown around inside the carriages that turned onto their sides, while images from the scene show casualties being stretchered off.Disaster struck the eight-carriage train travelling from London Victoria to Eastbourne at 3:54pm today, when it was between Haywards Heath and Lewes.The rear three carriages left the track and rolled onto their sides, with one sliding partially down the embankment.More than 40 people were believed to have been initially trapped inside the carriages, while others were able to clamber out.Images of the aftermath showed people standing on top of carriages, and emergency services working quickly to guide passengers to safety.One section of the track appeared to have buckled - though there has been no official confirmation of the cause of the derailment. Three air ambulances took off at around 6pm, and these are understood to have carried the final passengers rescued from the train. A father on the train with his wife and two daughters claimed to have seen a warning on a track-side sign before the train derailed.Another passenger said his carriage was thrown 'vertically upwards' before crashing back down.There has been no confirmation about the number or severity of injuries, but witnesses described seeing bloodied passengers with head injuries, and the Eastbourne MP said one of his constituents suffered a broken rib. Follow our live updates below. Everything we know so far...A Southern passenger train derailed close to Lewes railway station in East Sussex at around 3.54pm this afternoon.The three rear carriages came off the tracks and turned onto their sides.Emergency services descended onto the scene, stretchering off casualties and guiding passengers down the tracks.Southern has advised passengers not to travel through the area, with major disruption expected until around 10pm.The final passengers were rescued from the train and evacuated by a fleet of three air ambulances at around 6pm.Images appear to show a section of buckled track behind the overturned carriages - though there has been no official confirmation of the cause.Emergency services with a stretcher at the sceneWatch: Passenger train derailed in East SussexMap shows location of the accidentThe train from London Victoria to Eastbourne derailed when it was between Haywards Heath and Lewes stations.Ex-transport minister: 'Track may have buckled in the heat'Norman Baker, who is a former Lewes MP and an ex-transport minister, suggested the derailment may have been caused by a section of the track buckling in the heat.He told Times Radio: 'They’ll want to make sure that the railways are completely safe before any trains are allowed back on them and if it has been the case — that the rails have buckled — that will take considerably longer to repair.He said Southern Rail did not need to suspend all services through Lewes, as it has done, because the train between Brighton and Eastbourne does not go 'anywhere near' the scene of the accident.Baker added: 'No doubt the rail accident investigation board will determine the cause of the accident and take any necessary steps subsequently.'Today broke the record for the warmest day of the year, with a provisional temperature of 38.1C being recorded in Kew, London. Fleet of ten fire engines deployedEast Sussex Fire and Rescue Service says it has sent ten fire engines, a command support unit, technical rescue teams, officers and other resources.A spokesperson said: 'We have been helping reach passengers and assisting other emergency services.'Aerial shots show overturned carriagesFinal passengers rescued from carriages and evacuated by helicopterThe last of the passengers have been rescued from the carriages and evacuated by helicopter.A fleet of three air ambulances took off from the scene at around 6pm.Emergency services could be seen packing away their gear soon afterwards.It is believed that all passengers have now been cleared from the train.More images emerging from the scenePictures from inside the overturned carriagesAround 40 passengers 'trapped' in carriage Around 40 passengers were believed to be stuck inside the overturned train carriages, while others passengers were reportedly able to climb out.It is not clear how many remain trapped inside.Breaking:Investigators sent to the sceneThe Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) said a team of inspectors has been sent to the scene.