Four people sustained minor injuries after an Avanti West Coast train derailed at 80mph, striking a landslide in Cumbria early on Monday morning.
The 4.28am service from Glasgow to Euston, carrying 87 individuals including 10 staff members, came off the tracks near the village of Shap. Network Rail confirmed the front carriage of the 11-coach train derailed around 6.15am amidst severe weather conditions and darkness.
Sam MacDougall, Network Rail operations director, said early indications suggested the train had hit a landslide.
He said: “We believe the train was travelling at approximately 80 miles an hour at the point of collision and then stopped very quickly thereafter.”
Mr MacDougall added: “On arrival of the emergency services and the Network Rail staff, all of whom worked in extremely challenging terrain and appalling weather conditions this morning, all persons on board the train were safely removed and brought to a nearby reception centre.
“By 10.40 this morning, all customers had been safely taken forward to their onward destinations by replacement road transport.
“Our attention now turns to investigating the cause and recovering the railway as quickly as we can.”
North West Ambulance Service said it had stood down from major incident status and was withdrawing resources from the scene.
A spokesperson 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.”
Scotland’s first minister John Swinney said the derailment would have been a “terrifying experience” for those involved. He said he was “very concerned” about the derailment of the Avanti train and stressed that “rail travel is normally a very safe way of travel”.
⚠️All lines are blocked north of Preston due to a derailed train between Penrith North Lakes and Oxenholme Lake District. Please do not attempt to travel north of Preston today.
— Avanti West Coast (@AvantiWestCoast) November 3, 2025
We will continue to update our website with further information, but it is likely there will be a…
Avanti West Coast has advised customers not to attempt to travel north of Preston as the incident is likely to cause disruption “for a number of days”.
Andy Mellors, managing director for Avanti West Coast, said: “Our main priority is the safety and wellbeing of our customers and colleagues following this serious incident.
“I would like to take this opportunity to express my appreciation and gratitude for the actions of our colleagues onboard, which has been warmly received and appreciated by customers.
“I would also like to thank our staff who responded, the emergency services, Network Rail and the local hotel who laid on facilities for everyone onboard.
“We are now ensuring we provide support to those affected.”
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