David Harber
Wiltshire Police have confirmed a train crash near London Road, Salisbury. We will update this feed with information as we get it.
11.30pm: Dorset & Wiltshire and Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service confirm they do not believe there to be any further casualties and thanked the local community for their support.
The full statement reads:
“Firefighters from Dorset & Wiltshire and Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service have been on scene this evening dealing with the train crash this evening.
“We have carried out a thorough search of all train carriages. We have assisted in the evacuation of approximately 100 people. We do not believe there to be any further casualties on board the train and there are no fatalities.
“We will shortly be scaling down our response, however we will have resources on scene for the next few hours.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank the local community for their support this evening as this incident has unfolded”.
11.24pm: The British Transport Police has released a statement declaring a major incident and confirming they will work throughout the night to establish how this incident came to happen. The train line is expected to be shut for “some time”.
The full statement reads:
“We were called to Fisherton Tunnel in Salisbury at 6.46pm tonight following reports of a train derailment which involved two passenger trains colliding.
“Officers are continuing to respond to the incident alongside our emergency service colleagues and the line is expected to be shut for some time.
“Thankfully there have been no fatalities however a number of people have been injured and a casualty centre has been opened at a nearby church. Most of these people are walking wounded however a small number, including the driver, have been taken to hospital where their injuries are being assessed.
“A major incident has been declared and this has been a large scale, multi-agency response working closely alongside our colleagues in Wiltshire. We will remain on scene throughout the night working to establish the full circumstances of how this incident came to happen”.
9.52pm: The driver has reportedly been freed from his cab and has been taken to hospital. Reports from those helping out at St. Mark’s Church say that “people are heading home now”.
9.42pm: Photographs reportedly depicting the scene of the train collision have emerged on social media.
9.36pm Laverstock and Ford Football Club have offered to house any services or volunteers throughout the night. Community support continues with reports of Wiltshire Police being “overwhelmed with help”.
9.30pm: National Rail has announced that all trains through Salisbury are currently cancelled. This is expected until at least the end of the day on Monday 1st November. South Western Railway customer advice reads:
“Due to large scale disruption across the South Western Railway network, customers are authorised to book their own taxi. In order to claim a refund you will need:
- Proof of a valid ticket
- Receipt for the taxi
Please email these details to customerrelations@swrailway.com”.
9.20pm: British Transport Police have confirmed that there are no fatalities.
9.10pm: Tracy Gould, who lives near the scene of the crash, spoke to three girls involved in the incident. She said, “The girls had been brought up from the rails and they were in the first carriage. They said their train derailed, flipped on its side and hit the wall inside the tunnel. They got thrown off their seats, and one of the girls banged their head.
“Then we saw some passengers brought up from the third carriage down, they were all ok and were being taken to St. Marks Church”.
9.00pm: There are unconfirmed reports that the driver of one of the trains is trapped. Injuries are reported to be minor with 12 people thought to be injured.
8.45pm: Images from the scene as emergency services arrive.
8.16pm A statement from Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service says around 50 firefighters at this ‘major incident’ at Fisherton Tunnel.
A statement from Wilts FRS says, “We are currently at the scene of a train crash near London Rd, Salisbury. Approx 50 firefighters from both @DWFireRescue & @HantsIOW_fire are working with partners from @wiltshirepolice, @swasFT and @networkrail at this major incident. Will update as we have more information.”
A statement from the Police says, “We are currently at the scene of a train crash involving two trains between Andover and Salisbury.
“We are responding with the fire and ambulance service at the site close to London Road, Salisbury.
“Will update as soon as we have more information.”
The Rail Accident Investigation Branch has said that they are “deploying inspectors to the site of a collision between two trains near Salisbury Tunnel Junction.”
On arrival, they will commence a preliminary examination of the scene.
The trains involved are thought to be the Portsmouth Harbour to Bristol Temple Meads train and a London Waterloo train, both passing through Salisbury .
The incident occurred around 6.45pm today. It is believed that the Portsmouth Harbour train hit an object and the rear carriage derailed.
Around a dozen people are thought to be “injured” with Sky News describing them as “Walking wounded”.
