Investigators have discovered a defect in the railway track where a train derailed last week near Lewes, East Sussex. The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) stated that the defect existed before the accident.
Preliminary findings from the RAIB indicate that rear-facing CCTV images from trains on August 13 showed a track geometry irregularity on the approach to the derailment point. Reports of "rough riding" at that location from passengers on other trains before the crash have also been received.
The derailment, which occurred on Thursday, involved a train travelling from London Victoria to Eastbourne. The rear three carriages left the tracks and tipped onto the embankment, injuring 30 people, two seriously. Twenty individuals required hospital treatment.
The railway line will remain closed for at least another week. Network Rail and Southern Rail have stated that the overturned carriages will need to be carefully lifted by crane, a process made difficult by the location's proximity to a river, its status as a site of special scientific interest, and restricted road access.
Once the train is removed, engineers will assess the damage to the railway infrastructure to determine the scale of repair work needed before services can safely resume. The RAIB's investigation will also consider the weather, the condition of the train, and the effectiveness of measures addressing hot weather issues, as well as the track and embankment status.