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Landslide causes train derailment | Landslide causes train derailment |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Between 500 and 600 passengers were guided to safety along railway tracks after a landslip onto a line in Surrey caused their train to be derailed. | Between 500 and 600 passengers were guided to safety along railway tracks after a landslip onto a line in Surrey caused their train to be derailed. |
The 1059 GMT Southern service from Bognor Regis to London Victoria remains stuck between Merstham and Coulsdon South, to the north of Redhill. | The 1059 GMT Southern service from Bognor Regis to London Victoria remains stuck between Merstham and Coulsdon South, to the north of Redhill. |
The front carriage remained upright although its wheels "jumped the rail". | The front carriage remained upright although its wheels "jumped the rail". |
There were no reports of any injuries, but rail services were predicted to be disrupted for the rest of Saturday. | There were no reports of any injuries, but rail services were predicted to be disrupted for the rest of Saturday. |
There was an enormous noise of rubble hitting the train Passenger Adrian Webb | |
The incident happened just before 1230 GMT. | The incident happened just before 1230 GMT. |
A Network Rail spokeswoman said: "There was a landslide. One carriage of the train came off the track." | A Network Rail spokeswoman said: "There was a landslide. One carriage of the train came off the track." |
Passenger Adrian Webb, 41, from Reigate, said: "There was an enormous noise of rubble hitting the train. | |
"The front carriage then started churning up the sidings and rocks were thrown up." | |
Mr Webb, who was in the train's third carriage, said windows were smashed and thick smoke billowed up. | |
Delays and cancellations | |
Three ambulances were sent to the scene, but none of the passengers on board required treatment. | Three ambulances were sent to the scene, but none of the passengers on board required treatment. |
They were guided towards an exit point from the tracks, where a bus was waiting to take them to Purley station. | They were guided towards an exit point from the tracks, where a bus was waiting to take them to Purley station. |
Some remained there on Saturday afternoon while arrangements were made for their luggage to be retrieved from the train. | Some remained there on Saturday afternoon while arrangements were made for their luggage to be retrieved from the train. |
Network Rail and Southern Railway engineers were assessing the situation at the derailment site. | |
A spokesman for train operator Southern said: "The train is likely to be there for much of the rest of the day, and the line will not reopen today." | A spokesman for train operator Southern said: "The train is likely to be there for much of the rest of the day, and the line will not reopen today." |
It was shut in both directions between Purley and Redhill, with replacement buses brought in. | It was shut in both directions between Purley and Redhill, with replacement buses brought in. |
Through trains are being diverted via an alternative line. | Through trains are being diverted via an alternative line. |
Southern's website said: "Short notice alterations, cancellations and delays of up to 40 minutes can be expected." | Southern's website said: "Short notice alterations, cancellations and delays of up to 40 minutes can be expected." |