A further statement has been released, you can find out more here
The British Transport Police have released a further statement into the train crash near Salisbury, which happened last night.
Officers were called to Fisherton Tunnel at 6:46pm following reports of a train derailment, including two passenger trains.
No fatalities were reported. A number of people were injured, with a casualty centre set up in a nearby church. A small number, including a train driver, were taken to hospital to have their injuries assessed.
A RAIB spokesperson has said “We arrived on site last night to begin investigating what caused the collision at Fisherton tunnel, Salisbury. We now have a team of 5 inspectors on site who have begun examining the train, tracks, infrastructure and electronic data to piece together what caused the accident.”
UPDATE 11:22: An Office of Rail and Road spokesperson said: “ORR safety inspectors are on site this morning, working with the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) and the British Transport Police to investigate how this incident happened. It is too early to speculate on the cause, and our investigation will work to understand the full circumstances. Our thoughts are with all the passengers that were injured.”
Salisbury Hospital has said it treated 13 casualties at Salisbury District Hospital, 4 have been admitted, with one being discharged.
The spokesperson for Salisbury Hospital said “Following the derailment in Salisbury last night, we can confirm that 13 casualties were treated at SDH. 4 casualties were admitted, 1 patient discharged & 3 remain as inpatients & are in a stable condition. Thanks to all our staff that responded with both compassion and care.”
Update 10:26: Lines through Salisbury are currently blocked and will remain blocked until at least end of service on Thursday 4th November
A spokesperson for the British Transport Police said “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.”
Network Rail, Great Western Railway and South Western Railway has released this joint statement: “At 1845 today (Sunday 31 October) a Great Western Railway (1708 from Portsmouth Harbour to Bristol Temple Meads) and a South Western Railway (1720 service from London Waterloo to Honiton) train collided just outside Fisherton tunnel near Salisbury. All customers and colleagues are accounted for and a number of people have been taken to hospital. Our thoughts are with them and we thank them for their patience and understanding this evening.
“The railway will be closed in the area on Monday, affecting SWR trains between Exeter and Basingstoke, and GWR trains between Westbury and Portsmouth, while specialist teams continue their investigations and we urge customers not to travel on this part of the network.
“We're extremely grateful to the emergency services who attended the scene and helped our customers and staff in extremely difficult circumstances. We will be co-operating fully with the British Transport Police and Rail Accident Investigation Branch to understand how this incident happened.”
Statement from Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service: “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.”
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