West Coast Mainline Faces Days of Disruption After Train Derailment
The UK’s West Coast Mainline will experience major delays for several days following a train derailment in Cumbria this morning. This key railway route, connecting London to Edinburgh via Birmingham and Preston, is expected to remain closed for an extended period, according to Avanti West Coast.
Details of the Incident
The derailment occurred around 6:10 am when the train traveling from Glasgow to London Euston hit a landslip at approximately 80 mph. Four people sustained minor injuries but did not require hospital treatment, the North West Ambulance Service confirmed.
Passengers and Staff Safety
The 87 passengers and crew members aboard were taken to a nearby rest center and have since been discharged.
“A major incident has been stood up,” Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander told LBC Radio, adding, “We will work swiftly to make sure that people can get off the train safely.”
She also stated, “I will be remaining in constant touch with the train operating company and the Railway Accident Investigation Branch.”
Impact on Rail Services
The derailment has caused significant disruptions to services operated by Avanti West Coast and TransPennine Express for the remainder of the day, as confirmed by National Rail.
Timeline of Events
- Train departed Glasgow at 4:28 am.
- Derailment occurred at 6:10 am due to a landslip.
- Passengers and crew were safely evacuated and provided assistance nearby.
Authorities continue to assess the damage and work on restoring rail service as quickly and safely as possible.
Summary: A train derailment on the West Coast Mainline has led to serious service disruptions and minor injuries, with authorities actively managing the situation to ensure passenger safety and a timely recovery.