Cumbria train derailment latest: ‘Major incident’ declared as Avanti warns travel chaos could last days

Police have confirmed no casualties have been reported following the train derailment in Cumbria.

British Transport Police said in a statement on social media: “Officers were called at 6.15am today to reports of a train derailment 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.”

Avanti West Coast has warned “it is likely there will be significant disruption to our network for a number of days” following the train derailment near Shap in Cumbria.

A spokesperson for the train firm said: “At 06.10hrs today, 3 November, the 0428 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 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 Independent’s political correspondent Millie Cooke reports:

A major incident has been declared following a train derailment near Shap in Cumbria, the transport secretary has said, but confirmed there are so far no reported injuries.

Speaking to LBC Radio, Heidi Alexander added: “I have been informed of this incident within the last half-an-hour or so.

“We will work swiftly to make sure that people can get off the train safely.”

MP for Westmorland & Lonsdale Tim Farron said he is “deeply concerned” to hear news of the train derailment near Shap.

In a post on X on Monday morning, he said: “I’m deeply concerned to hear the news coming out of Shap this morning. My thoughts are with everyone on board the train and the emergency service workers who are now on the scene.”

The last time a train derailed in Cumbria 18 years ago a woman was killed.

An express train derailed at 95mph and plunged down an embankment on the West Coast mainline on 24 February 2007, leaving scores of passengers trapped in overturned carriages and Margaret Masson, 84, dead.

Four carriages left the track and slid 40ft down a steep embankment into a field after the London Euston to Glasgow Central Virgin Pendolino tilting train left the track in remote countryside at Greyrigg, north of Kendal in Cumbria.

The driver and up to eight of the train’s 180 passengers were trapped in carriages. One person was killed and 100 were injured. The crash occurred as the train, the 5.15pm service from Euston, left a twisty section of track north of Kendal at 8.16am and entered the drop into the Tebay gorge.

The Independent’s travel correspondent Simon Calder reports:

The derailed train is believed to be the 4.28am Avanti West Coast service from Glasgow Central to London Euston.

It is last shown as being at Shap at 6.10am.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said work would be carried out swiftly to get people off the derailed train in Cumbria but there are no reported injuries.

She told LBC Radio: “I have been informed of this incident within the last half an hour or so.

“I know that a major incident has been stood up. There are no reported injuries.

“We will work swiftly to make sure that people can get off the train safely.

“I will be remaining in constant touch with the train operating company and the railway accident investigation branch.”

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said a major incident had been declared following a train derailment near Shap in Cumbria but “there are no reported injuries”.

North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) said it had sent paramedics to the scene near the village of Shap, which is on the West Coast Main Line.

In a statement, 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.”