A train derailed early Monday morning following a suspected landslide in the remote hills of northwest England, leaving four people with minor injuries, officials said.
The 4:28 a.m. Avanti West Coast service from Glasgow to London Euston came off the tracks near Shap, Cumbria, a hilly area that serves as a gateway to the Lake District. Dozens of passengers were safely evacuated from the train after the derailment.
According to Network Rail, the incident was caused by a suspected landslip following days of heavy rainfall in the region. “The area has been experiencing significant adverse weather conditions, and extremely heavy rain continues to compound the issue,” the agency said in a statement.
British Transport Police confirmed that the train’s front carriage had left the tracks but remained upright. Around 85 passengers were escorted off the train, while North West Ambulance Service reported that 87 people were assessed at the scene. Only four sustained minor injuries, and none required hospital treatment.
Rail officials said the derailment forced a shutdown of all services north of Preston, disrupting travel across parts of the northwest rail network.
“We’re investigating a train derailment near Shap in Cumbria following a report by a train driver,” a Network Rail spokesperson said.
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An Avanti West Coast spokesperson confirmed the derailment occurred around 6:10 a.m., adding that the company’s priority was ensuring passengers’ safety. “We are assisting emergency services who are on the scene,” the spokesperson said.
The incident came just two days after a separate tragedy on the opposite side of the country, when a mass stabbing on a London-bound train from Doncaster left ten people injured. One victim remains in critical condition, and a suspect has since been charged with ten counts of attempted murder.
According to a recent report by the UK Office of Rail and Road, there were five train derailments nationwide in the 12 months leading up to March, including two involving passenger services.
