A second train has derailed in the UK less than 24 hours after a similar incident, prompting investigations into potential causes including extreme weather. The latest incident occurred Tuesday afternoon in Wickford, Essex, involving a Greater Anglia service.
Approximately 40 to 45 passengers were on board the Greater Anglia train when it came off the tracks at 2:12 p.m. The train remained upright, and no injuries have been reported. Images shared on social media suggest the train, believed to be traveling from Southend Victoria to London Liverpool Street, may have slipped off the track and contacted overhead cables.
This incident followed a derailment on Monday near Lewes, East Sussex, involving a Southern Rail service traveling from London Victoria to Eastbourne. That crash, which occurred on the year's hottest day with temperatures exceeding 38 degrees Celsius (100.4 degrees Fahrenheit), resulted in 20 injuries, including two passengers who sustained serious injuries requiring hospitalization.
Network Rail executive Martin Frobisher stated that investigations into both derailments will examine "all possible causes and factors," acknowledging that the hot weather "presented exceptional challenges to the railway." He added that the industry had been monitoring track temperatures, implementing speed restrictions, and planning track maintenance around high temperatures.
Despite the incidents, train officials have maintained that the UK's railway network remains safe. John Whitehurst, chief executive of Greater Thameslink Railway, described derailments as "incredibly rare." The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) is investigating both incidents, with investigators dispatched to the Wickford site.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has urged against speculation regarding the causes of the derailments, emphasizing that RAIB investigations are underway. She stated that proactive steps are being taken to manage the heat, including close monitoring of track temperatures and implementing speed restrictions where necessary. She has also spoken with industry partners to ensure all possible measures are being taken to prevent similar occurrences.
The Greater Anglia service between Southend Victoria and London Liverpool Street has been cancelled for the remainder of the day. Rail expert Philip Haigh identified the train involved in the Wickford derailment as Greater Anglia train 720131.
Andrew Gilligan, head of transport and infrastructure at Policy Exchange, commented that two derailments in under 24 hours could impact public confidence and potentially lead to wider disruptions. He also noted the resilience of modern trains, suggesting that a similar incident 25 years ago could have resulted in fatalities.
In the Lewes incident, images revealed a section of track that had buckled, leading to speculation that extreme heat may have caused the steel tracks to expand and warp. Passengers from the Lewes derailment described the experience as terrifying, with carriages tipping onto their side and coming off the tracks into a field. Emergency services and local residents provided assistance to those affected.
A British Transport Police spokesman confirmed officers were on scene at Wickford following reports of the rear carriages derailing in an upright position, with no reported injuries. The Department for Transport acknowledged awareness of the Wickford derailment, stating that investigators have been deployed and that the railway network remains safe despite rare incidents.
