Matt Jackson

The Rail Accident Investigation Branch found a track geometry irregularity on the immediate approach to the site of the 13 August derailment near Lewes, East Sussex. Rear-facing CCTV and passenger reports indicated rough riding in the area, while preliminary black-box data showed the driver applied the brakes after the derailment began. The incident injured 30 people, 20 of whom were taken to hospital, and caused significant damage to the train and railway infrastructure. The ongoing investigation will examine track inspection and maintenance, embankment conditions including the effects of hot weather, and the condition and crashworthiness of the derailed rear carriages.