UK: Less than a day after two passengers were seriously injured when a Southern train came off the tracks near Lewes, a second train derailed in Essex — this time with no injuries reported, but enough to make Network Rail’s safety chief address both incidents together in one statement.

Greater Anglia Class 720 train on the Great Eastern Main Line at Rivenhall, Essex
A Greater Anglia Class 720 train at Rivenhall, Essex. Illustrative photo. Photo: Steve Knight (kitmasterbloke), CC BY 2.0.

Railway Supply reported the Lewes derailment in detail as it unfolded on Aug. 13; this piece covers what happened the next day. A Greater Anglia train derailed just after 2:12pm on Aug. 14 south of Wickford railway station, according to ITV News Anglia, with British Transport Police confirming the rear carriages came off the tracks in an upright position.

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What happened at Wickford

About 40 to 45 passengers were on board the train, which was travelling from Southend, according to RTÉ. No injuries were reported. British Transport Police, paramedics and firefighters attended the scene between Salcott Crescent and Russell Gardens, and Greater Anglia said all lines were blocked between Shenfield and Southend Victoria, with the Southminster branch line also affected. National Rail said trains between Southend Victoria and London Liverpool Street would be cancelled, with disruption expected “until further notice.”

Network Rail addresses both incidents together

“I appreciate the public will be concerned at the news of two derailments of passenger trains over a short period of time, but I want to reassure them that Britain’s railways still rank among the safest in the world, and that safety is always our first consideration on the railway,” said Martin Frobisher, Network Rail’s Group Safety & Engineering Director. Network Rail said investigations into both derailments would look at all possible causes and factors; the announcement does not specify whether the two incidents are considered related or coincidental, and no cause has been confirmed for either.

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