British Transport Police have confirmed no fatalities at a train crash between Salisbury and Andover.
Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service say around 50 firefighters are at this ‘major incident’.
Network Rail said the rear carriage of the 17.08 Great Western Railway service from Portsmouth Harbour to Bristol Temple Meads derailed ‘after striking an object’ as it approached Salisbury railway station.
9:42pm – Photos reportedly depicting the scene of the train collision have emerged on social media.
9:27pm – British Transport Police have confirmed that there are no fatalities.
9:10pm – Tracy Gould from Love Salisbury was near scene of the crash earlier and 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 we’re being taken to St. Marks Church”.
There are unconfirmed reports that one of the train drivers is trapped in his cab.
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.”
An update Police statement from just before 8:00pm said, “We are currently at the scene of a train crash involving two trains between Salisbury and Andover.
“We are responding with the fire and ambulance service at the site which is close to London Road, Salisbury.”
The Rail Accident Investigation Branch have 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 incident was thought to have occurred around 6.45pm today between the Portsmouth Harbour to Bristol Temple Meads train and a London Waterloo to Honiton train.
It’s thought the Bristol bound hit an object on the track causing the rear carriage to derail, subsequently the London train collided into the rear of the first.
Wiltshire Police Tweet, below:
