A second train derailment occurred in less than 24 hours in England, raising concerns about rail safety amid high temperatures. On Thursday afternoon, a Greater Anglia service carrying approximately 45 passengers partially derailed near Wickford station in Essex. The 1:51 p.m. train from Southend Victoria to London Liverpool Street came off the tracks but remained upright, with no reported injuries.

Images circulated online showed the nine-carriage train striking an overhead line support as it stopped outside the station. Emergency services, including two air ambulances, responded to the scene. Local councillor Alex Myers reported that the footbridge spanning the railway between Salcott Crescent and Russell Gardens was closed following the incident. Myers expressed relief that the situation appeared less serious than a previous derailment in East Sussex.

The earlier derailment took place on Wednesday afternoon near Lewes, East Sussex. A Southern train traveling from London Victoria to Eastbourne derailed shortly after 2:24 p.m., with three rear carriages leaving the tracks and crashing into trees beside a field. At least 20 people sustained injuries in that accident, two of whom were seriously hurt and taken to major trauma centers. Authorities classified the injuries as severe but not life-threatening.

Approximately 150 passengers were on board the Southern service at the time, and some were trapped inside the derailed carriages for up to 90 minutes before being evacuated. Visual evidence from the scene indicated buckled track located at the point of derailment, though investigators have yet to confirm the precise cause.

Following the incidents, British Transport Police declared the East Sussex derailment a major incident and continue to investigate the chain of events leading to both derailments. Meanwhile, Greater Thameslink Railway Chief Executive John Whitehurst emphasized that the rail network remains safe for travel despite challenges posed by hot weather conditions.

The back-to-back derailments have prompted scrutiny of track conditions and maintenance practices amid a summer heatwave, which can cause rail expansion and infrastructure stress. Transport authorities are expected to provide updates as investigations progress.