Salisbury train crash: 13 treated in hospital after trains collide in tunnel

Thirteen people were taken to hospital following a collision between two trains in Salisbury on Sunday evening.

The incident happened when a carriage was derailed after hitting an object, and a second train then crashed into it when signalling was damaged.

Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust said 13 people were treated at Salisbury District Hospital following the train crash in the city.

It said in a statement released Monday: “Following the derailment in Salisbury last night, we can confirm that 13 casualties were treated at Salisbury District Hospital.

“Four of these casualties were admitted. One patient has been discharged and three remain as inpatients.

“We are pleased to report that all are in a stable condition.”

In a statement late on Sunday night, British Transport Police (BTP) confirmed there were no fatalities in the incident, but a “small number” of people, including the driver of one of the trains, were taken to hospital to have their injuries assessed.

BTP said earlier “a number of people” were injured in the incident, which occurred at

The force's statement on Sunday said: “We were called to Fisherton Tunnel in Salisbury at 6.46pm tonight following reports of a train derailment which involved two passenger trains colliding. “Officers are continuing to respond to the incident alongside our emergency service colleagues and the line is expected to be shut for some time.

“Thankfully there have been no fatalities however a number of people have been injured and a casualty centre has been opened at a nearby church. “Most of these people are walking wounded however a small number, including the driver, have been taken to hospital where their injuries are being assessed.

Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service said in a statement it had helped evacuate “approximately 100 people” from the scene.

In a statement, Great Western Railway (GWR) said the railway in the area would remain closed on Monday as “specialist teams continue their investigations”.

It urged customers not to travel on the affected part of the network, adding the closure would affect SWR trains between Exeter and Basingstoke and GWR trains between Westbury and Portsmouth.

A critical incident was declared after the two trains crashed outside of Salisbury, injuring a number of passengers and leaving the driver trapped in his cab.

50 firefighters attended the site.

A spokesperson for Network Rail said shortly before 7pm a train heading towards Salisbury station struck an object and derailed.

They added that this knocked out all the signalling in the area and another train then crashed into the one which had derailed.

After the incident unfolded, the derailed train was believed to be on its side, but the South Western Railway (SWR) train was upright.

A Network Rail spokesperson said: “At around 7pm this evening, the rear carriage of the 1708 Great Western Railway service from Portsmouth Harbour to Bristol Temple Meads derailed after striking an object on its approach to Salisbury station.

“The derailment knocked out all of the signalling in the area. Subsequently, the 1720 South Western Railway service from London Waterloo to Honiton then collided with the Bristol train.

“There are reports of injuries and the emergency services are on site along with railway first responders.”

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps tweeted: “My thoughts go out to those affected by the serious rail incident near Salisbury.”

He said the Rail Accident Investigation Branch and Office of Rail and Road will investigate, adding: “We need to understand how this happened to prevent in the future.”

British Transport Police (BTP) said: “We are currently responding to an incident at Fisherton Tunnel, Salisbury.

“Officers were called at 6.46pm this evening following reports a train derailed.

“We are on scene alongside paramedics and the fire brigade.”

BTP said a casualty centre has been set up at St Mark’s Church, in St Mark’s Avenue, Salisbury and that the line would be closed "for some time".

A mother who was out trick or treating with her family nearby likened the noise of the train crash to “a bomb” and “thunder”.

Tamar Vellacott said she was walking outside with her young children, mother and partner on Jewell Close, Bishopdown, around a kilometre from the scene.

“It was a noise we’ve never heard before… my young ones started panicking thinking it was a bomb and we said maybe a lorry had crashed on the London Road and not to panic,” the 25-year-old said.

“There was no screeching like brakes, just a long rumbling sound like thunder hitting the railway line.

“It did spook us though, so we decided to get in our car and drive home to Laverstock where three police cars passed us at speed.”