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Train crashes in Lake District Passengers hurt as train crashes
(30 minutes later)
Passengers are reported to be injured and trapped after a train derailed and slid down an embankment in Cumbria.Passengers are reported to be injured and trapped after a train derailed and slid down an embankment in Cumbria.
Nine carriages were left on their side, with some "stuck up in the air", passengers said. Fire crews said it was thought there were "numerous injuries". Nine carriages were left on their side, passengers said. Ambulance crews said 48 passengers had injuries, eight of them serious but non life-threatening.
The Virgin train, the 1715 from London Euston to Glasgow Central, crashed at Grayrigg near Kendal at 2015 GMT. It had been due in Glasgow at 2154 GMT.The Virgin train, the 1715 from London Euston to Glasgow Central, crashed at Grayrigg near Kendal at 2015 GMT. It had been due in Glasgow at 2154 GMT.
Passenger Caroline Thomson said the train seemed to hit something.Passenger Caroline Thomson said the train seemed to hit something.
The BBC executive said there were "lots and lots" of walking wounded at the scene.The BBC executive said there were "lots and lots" of walking wounded at the scene.
So far, neither Virgin nor Network Rail have been able to say what might have caused the crash.
Casualty evacuation
RAF helicopters, police and fire crews have been sent to the scene of collision, between Oxenholme and Tebay in the Lake District.RAF helicopters, police and fire crews have been sent to the scene of collision, between Oxenholme and Tebay in the Lake District.
Cumbria Ambulance Service said six to eight people were feared trapped in one of the carriages of the train. The train had about 180 people on board, the fire service said. The train had about 180 people on board, the fire service said.
There's some carriages stuck up in the air and some are just lying on their sides Ruth Colton, passenger Cumbria Ambulance Service said six to eight people were feared trapped in one of the carriages of the train.
CONTACT NUMBERS Police family liaison centre: 0800 40 50 40 National Rail Enquiries: 08457 48 49 50
All but one of the train's carriages are said to have totally come off the tracks, a spokeswoman said.
Two passengers with leg and arm injuries have been taken to the Royal Lancaster Infirmary.
Other passengers who have come off the train are being assessed on the scene and any minor injuries would be treated there if possible, she added.
Michael Mulford from RAF Kinloss rescue centre said his crews were searching the carriages "systematically and are finding people injured in all sorts of places".Michael Mulford from RAF Kinloss rescue centre said his crews were searching the carriages "systematically and are finding people injured in all sorts of places".
"What the helicopters are being used for at the moment will be casualty evacuation," he said."What the helicopters are being used for at the moment will be casualty evacuation," he said.
"Three big hospitals are already on major standby and at least one other is ready to receive as well.""Three big hospitals are already on major standby and at least one other is ready to receive as well."
Ms Thomson said the train "did a sort of bump - and I was thinking don't worry this fine - but then the swaying became very dramatic.Ms Thomson said the train "did a sort of bump - and I was thinking don't worry this fine - but then the swaying became very dramatic.
"It suddenly appeared to hit something and then lurched very, very badly from side to side in a very dramatic way. This a very scary experience.""It suddenly appeared to hit something and then lurched very, very badly from side to side in a very dramatic way. This a very scary experience."
The Pendolino tilting trains, which are built in Italy, have been introduced by Virgin over the last three years and have a top speed of 125 mph.The Pendolino tilting trains, which are built in Italy, have been introduced by Virgin over the last three years and have a top speed of 125 mph.
Network Rail said the line speed for the area where the crash took place was about 95 mph.Network Rail said the line speed for the area where the crash took place was about 95 mph.
In a statement on its website, Virgin Trains confirmed a "serious incident" had taken place.In a statement on its website, Virgin Trains confirmed a "serious incident" had taken place.
"Virgin Trains staff are currently working with the emergency services to ensure that those involved in this incident are given every assistance," it said."Virgin Trains staff are currently working with the emergency services to ensure that those involved in this incident are given every assistance," it said.
First picture of passengers inside the crashed train
Services between Preston and Carlisle have been suspended until further notice and alternative arrangements for customers, using road vehicles, are being made.Services between Preston and Carlisle have been suspended until further notice and alternative arrangements for customers, using road vehicles, are being made.
Another passenger, Ruth Colton, said: "I was just reading a book and it started to get really bumpy like we were being battered by heavy winds or something and then suddenly the carriage flipped over.Another passenger, Ruth Colton, said: "I was just reading a book and it started to get really bumpy like we were being battered by heavy winds or something and then suddenly the carriage flipped over.
"Pretty much all of the carriages are off the track. "We all had to climb out the top of one of ours".
"The train seems to have fallen down an embankment and rolled...
"There's some carriages stuck up in the air and some are just lying on their sides. We all had to climb out the top of one of ours".
People worried about friends or relatives on the train are asked to ring a British Transport Police family liaison centre on 0800 40 50 40.People worried about friends or relatives on the train are asked to ring a British Transport Police family liaison centre on 0800 40 50 40.
Passengers, meanwhile, are being advised to ring National Rail Enquiries on 08457 48 49 50 before starting journeys.Passengers, meanwhile, are being advised to ring National Rail Enquiries on 08457 48 49 50 before starting journeys.
An emergency services number for friends and relatives is also to be issued shortly by Virgin Trains.An emergency services number for friends and relatives is also to be issued shortly by Virgin Trains.
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