Passenger John May described how people were trapped in the carriages after the train came to rest on its side.
He said some passengers managed to escape, but many had to wait in hot conditions while firefighters used ladders to help them out.
The continuing RAIB investigation will examine the cause of the derailment, the condition of the track and embankment, weather conditions, the train and the emergency response.
After the preliminary report, Lucy McAuliffe, Network Rail’s Sussex route director, and John Whitehurst, GTR chief executive, said in a joint statement Britain’s railway was “one of the safest in the world”.
They said it was essential to understand exactly what happened and identify lessons that could be learned.
Follow BBC Sussex on Facebook, external, X, external, and Instagram, external and listen to BBC Radio Sussex on Sounds. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk, external or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.
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