Rail Accident Investigation Branch

At around 14:08 on 14 August 2026, a passenger train derailed around 2.1 miles (3.4 kilometres) south-east of Wickford station, while travelling between Southend Victoria and London Liverpool Street.

The train, operated by Greater Anglia, was formed of two class 720 electric multiple units coupled together, each consisting of five vehicles. The rearmost vehicle derailed and its wheels subsequently ran on the sleepers and ballast for around 1.5 miles (2.4 kilometres). The train remained upright throughout and there were no reported injuries to the 62 people estimated to be on board.

Preliminary analysis of the on-train data recorder (sometimes referred to as ‘the black box’) obtained from the front vehicle recorded that the train was travelling at around 77 mph (124 km/h) when it derailed. The driver reported seeing a kink in the track which rocked the driving cab as the train passed over it. Forward-facing CCTV recovered from the train involved shows a misalignment in the track at the same location as the driver’s report and the point of derailment.

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The train driver was in the process of reporting the track condition to the signaller when they received an emergency call from another train passing in the opposite direction and applied the train’s brakes.

The train involved in the accident sustained damage and the train passing in the opposite direction received minor damage from flying ballast. There was significant damage caused to the track, signalling and overhead electrification equipment.

Our investigation will examine the sequence of events leading up to and during the derailment. It will also consider:

  • the actions of those involved and the factors that may have influenced them
  • the status of the track at this location and how it was maintained
  • the effectiveness of any mitigation measures to address the risk of operating trains in hot weather
  • the performance of the train during the derailment
  • any underlying management factors.
Our investigation is independent of any investigation by the railway industry or by the industry’s regulator, the Office of Rail and Road.

We will publish our findings, including any recommendations to improve safety, at the conclusion of our investigation. This report will be available on our website.