Glasgow to London train derails after 'hitting landslide at 80mph'

Latest updates

Avanti West Coast’s 4.28am service from Glasgow to London Euston came off the tracks at 6.10am
Network Rail said early indications are train ‘struck a landslide at 80mph’
85 passengers plus train staff on board evacuated
Four people suffered ‘minor injuries’ as crews stood down
All lines north of Preston are currently blocked – Avanti warns of significant disruption for several days
Transport secretary Heidi Alexander said efforts are focused on passenger safety

A Glasgow to London train derailed after “hitting a landslide” at 80mph, with days of disruption expected and minor injuries reported.

Emergency services worked to get passengers off the train safely after the incident in Cumbria.

Avanti West Coast said its 4.28am service from Glasgow to Euston came off the tracks at 6.10am near the village of Shap, which is on the West Coast Main Line.

85 passengers plus train staff on board have been evacuated from the train. Four people suffered “minor injuries”.

Glasgow to London train derailment near Shap in Cumbria Network Rail

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Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said a major incident had been declared, before it was stood down.

The incident is likely to cause disruption “for a number of days”, Avanti West Coast said.

Sam MacDougall, director of operations at Network Rail, told a news conference early indications would suggest that the train struck a landslide at around 80mph.

The area where the landslide occurred has been experiencing “significant adverse weather conditions,” the operator said.

Mr MacDougall said: “The train design has worked extremely well, the vehicle has remained upright,”

A spokesperson added: “At 06.10hrs today, 3 November, the 04:28 Avanti West Coast service from Glasgow to Euston was reported to have derailed at Shap in Cumbria.

“Our priority is the wellbeing of everyone who was on board and getting them safely off the train. We are assisting emergency services who are on the scene.

“As a result, all lines are blocked north of Preston. Please do not attempt to travel north of Preston today.

“We’ll provide further information in due course, but it is likely there will be significant disruption to our network for a number of days.”

The British Transport Police said on X: “Officers were called at 6.15am today to reports of a train derailment in near Shap, Cumbria.

“Thankfully, there are no reported casualties and passengers have been safely escorted from the train.

“Officers remain on scene alongside emergency services responding to the incident.”

Four people suffered minor injuries following the train derailment near Shap in Cumbria, North West Ambulance Service said.

Ambulance workers assessed 87 people but “no one required further hospital treatment”, it added.

It said that the major incident declared on Monday morning has been “stood down”.

“We can now confirm that we have stood down from major incident status and are withdrawing resources from the scene,” the service said.

“Our colleagues have assessed a total of 87 patients, with only four suffering minor injuries.

“No one required further hospital treatment, and all were discharged from the nearby rest centre.

“An operation remains in place with our partners as they continue to recover the scene.”

NWAS said: “Following reports of a train derailment near Shap in Cumbria, the trust has dispatched resources to the scene.

“We are currently assessing the situation and working with other members of the emergency services.

“Our priority is to ensure people receive the medical help they need as quickly as possible.”

First Minister John Swinney said on X: “Very concerned by the news from Cumbria this morning about the derailment of a train from Glasgow.

“Ministers are being kept up to date in developments and the efforts to support all affected.”

A Network Rail spokesperson said: “We’re investigating a train derailment near Shap in Cumbria following a report by a train driver.

“There are no reports of injuries and we’re working to safely move the passengers off the train. We will provide further updates as soon as we can.

“At present, we’re unable to run trains between Preston and Carlisle. We’re urging passengers to check with their train operator or National Rail Enquiries for the latest information.

“We’re very sorry to those whose journeys have been impacted this morning and appreciate your patience while we work to reopen the line. Our top priority is the safety of passengers and staff on the West Coast Main Line.”