East Sussex train derailment – what we know so far

Authorities have not confirmed what caused the derailment and investigations are ongoing.

A Rail Accident Investigation Branch team is examining the derailed train and railway infrastructure at the site.

They are reviewing evidence such as CCTV footage and signalling data as part of a “full, independent safety investigation”.

British Transport Police asked anybody on board the derailed train who had not already spoken to police to contact their officers.

The force said it would remain at the scene to assist rail investigators.

The Office of Rail and Road also said it had sent investigators to the site.

Martin Frobisher from Network Rail said exceptionally hot and dry weather had “presented exceptional challenges to the railway”.

But the executive maintained Britain’s railways were “among the safest in the world” and that safety was “always our first consideration”.

The derailment was followed by a separate incident in Essex on Friday, when a Greater Anglia train came off the tracks near Wickford.

Network Rail said investigations into two train derailments in two days “will look at all possible causes and factors”.