A NUMBER of people have been taken to hospital following a train crash in Salisbury on Sunday evening.

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

British Transport Police (BTP) said “a number of people” were injured in the incident, including one of the train drivers, which occurred at Fisherton Tunnel close to London Road in the city.

South Wales Argus: Emergency services at the scene of a crash involving two trains near the Fisherton Tunnel. (PA)Emergency services at the scene of a crash involving two trains near the Fisherton Tunnel. (PA)

British Transport Police issue statement

The statement 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.

“A major incident has been declared and this has been a large scale, multi-agency response working closely alongside our colleagues in Wiltshire. We will remain on scene throughout the night working to establish the full circumstances of how this incident came to happen.”

South Wales Argus: Mullah Hoque from British Transport Police (BTP) speaks to the media near the scene of the crash. (PA)Mullah Hoque from British Transport Police (BTP) speaks to the media near the scene of the crash. (PA)

Network Rail respond to Salisbury train crash

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.”

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

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.

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Train disruption likely until Monday

A join statement, GWR, SWR and Network Rail warned passengers to expect disruption in the Salisbury area on Monday.

The railway will be closed in Salisbury on Monday, and will affect SWR services between Exeter and Basingstoke.

Passengers are urged not to travel on this part of the network.

The statement reads: "At 1845 GMT a GWR and an SWR train collided just outside Fisherton Tunnel near Salisbury. All customers and colleagues are accounted for and a number of people have been taken to hospital. Our thoughts are with them and we thank them for their patience and understanding this evening.

"The railway will be closed in the area on Monday, affecting SWR trains between Exeter and Basingstoke, and GWR trains between Westbury and Portsmouth, while specialist teams continue their investigations and we urge customers not to travel on this part of the network.

"We're extremely grateful to the emergency services who attended the scene and helped our customers and staff in extremely difficult circumstances.

"We will be co-operating fully with the British Transport Police and Rail Accident Investigation Branch to understand how this incident happened."