- Southern Rail service derailed in East Sussex, sending 20 people to hospital.
- John Whitehurst, chief executive of Greater Thameslink Railway, insisted the railway is safe during hot weather and said derailments are rare.
- An investigation is under way to establish the cause of the derailment, and the railway through the area is closed with specialist teams on site.
- Mr Whitehurst told the BBC: “The railway is safe. These types of incidents are incredibly rare.
- Control processes include inspection, temporary speed restrictions, or suspending services if required.
A Southern Rail service derailed just outside Lewes, East Sussex, on Thursday, injuring 20 passengers, two of whom were taken to major trauma centers with severe injuries. The incident occurred as temperatures soared past 38C, marking the hottest day of the year.1
John Whitehurst, chief executive of Greater Thameslink Railway, stated, “The railway is safe. These types of incidents are incredibly rare.” He emphasized that the railway has control processes in place, including inspections and temporary speed restrictions, to ensure safety during extreme weather conditions.256
However, experts like Prof William Powrie from the University of Southampton warned that high temperatures can lead to rail expansion and ground instability, potentially causing track deformities. He noted, “Increased temperatures make continuously welded rails ‘want’ to expand. If they can’t do so, that can lead to rail buckling.”
An investigation is currently underway to determine the exact cause of the derailment. Whitehurst confirmed that the railway in the affected area is closed, with specialist teams assessing the train and infrastructure. He expressed regret for the disruption caused by the incident, stating, “I’m really sorry for the disruption that’s caused.”34
“John Whitehurst, chief executive of Greater Thameslink Railway, told the BBC: "The railway is safe. These types of incidents are incredibly rare." He added that control processes include inspection, temporary speed restrictions, or suspending services if required, as the railway through the area remains closed with specialist teams on site.”
