Two people sustained serious injuries and 18 others were less seriously hurt when a passenger train derailed in East Sussex on Thursday afternoon. The incident occurred near Lewes railway station shortly before 4:00 PM BST.

Network Rail confirmed that the 14:24 Southern service, traveling from London Victoria to Eastbourne, came off the tracks. The British Transport Police declared a major incident, and emergency services rushed to the scene. All 150 passengers on board have since been evacuated.

Photographs from the derailment site showed overturned carriages with passengers standing on top of them. Witnesses described scenes of pandemonium, with some passengers reporting that three carriages had derailed, trapping several individuals. Emergency teams worked to free those who were trapped.

Patients were assessed and treated at the scene, with some requiring transport to local hospitals. Those who did not need immediate hospital care were taken to a community center. Rail routes in the affected area were closed, and the public was advised to avoid the vicinity.

Passengers recounted harrowing experiences. Rachel Heath described the train rocking violently before it felt like they "flew in the air and the carriage landed on its side and it slid." She added that "it was like a movie," with people bleeding and injured around her.

Rob Bradley, who was traveling with his six-year-old daughter, said their carriage "jumped upwards" before the emergency brakes engaged and everything was "thrown forward." He noted that "smoke and dust were pouring into the carriage" after the train skidded to a halt.

Yana Ludwig, a passenger from the United States, described the event as "completely terrifying," with a "banging" sound and everything going "topsy turvy" before the carriage fell onto its side. She highlighted the sense of community, stating "everybody was checking on their fellow passengers."

Network Rail stated that it was "inappropriate to comment as to what caused the derailment" at this time. Lucy McAuliffe from Network Rail assured that they are "working closely with the Rail Accident Investigation Branch, who are on site to establish exactly what has happened."