Second train derails in less than 24 hours: Carriages come off tracks a day after 20 people were injured in Lewes crash on hottest day of the year

A train has derailed in Essex less than a day after 20 people were injured in a similar incident in Sussex on the hottest day of the year.

The Greater Anglia service came off the tracks at Wickford, near Basildon, at 2.12pm but remained in an upright position.

Between 40 and 45 passengers were on board, according to Basildon Council, but no injuries have been reported.

Images shared on social media suggest that the train - which is believed to have been travelling from Southend Victoria to London Liverpool Street - slipped off the track and bumped into the overhead cable.

It comes less than 24 hours after two passengers suffered serious injuries when a Southern Rail service from London Victoria to Eastbourne derailed at 2.24pm near Lewes, East Sussex. 

The incident took place on the hottest day of the year, with temperatures topping 38C. 

While the cause of the crash, which saw the train tip onto its side, is unknown, experts have suggested soaring temperatures may have caused the tracks or embankment beneath them to buckle. 

Investigations into two train derailments in two days 'will look at all possible causes and factors', Network Rail executive Martin Frobisher said, adding the hot weather had 'presented exceptional challenges to the railway'. 

Earlier today, train bosses insisted the UK's railway network remained safe in the hot weather. 

Chief executive of Greater Thameslink Railway, John Whitehurst, described derailments as 'incredibly rare'. 

Frobisher said: 'We are currently responding to a derailment incident near Wickford station in Essex, and we are working quickly to understand the situation and to provide assistance where needed. Two carriages have derailed but remained fully upright, and there are no significant injuries reported.

'I appreciate the public will be concerned at the news of two derailments of passenger trains over a short period of time, but I want to reassure them that Britain's railways still rank among the safest in the world, and that safety is always our first consideration on the railway.'

He said the Rail Accident Investigation Branch was investigating the Lewes derailment and had sent investigators to Wickford, urging people not to speculate about the causes until more information was available.

Frobisher added: 'The unprecedented hot and dry weather that we have experienced this summer has presented exceptional challenges to the railway.'

He said the industry had responded by closely monitoring track temperatures, imposing speed restrictions where appropriate and planning track renewals around high temperatures.

He added that the focus remained on supporting those affected, establishing the causes of both incidents and getting services running safely again as quickly as possible.

Images show rail staff, police and members of the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) near the tracks. 

Rail expert Philip Haigh says it was Greater Anglia train 720131 and derailed on approach to Wickford station.

It is understood the train involved in today's incident was the 1.51pm Southend Victoria to London Liverpool Street service.

Greater Anglia trains running between the two stations have been cancelled for the rest of the day.

Andrew Gilligan, head of transport and infrastructure at Policy Exchange, told the Daily Mail: 'Two derailments in less than 24 hours may put confidence at risk - and may lead to wider disruption as trains all over the country are slowed down.

'But the Sussex derailment also shows how strong modern trains are - a similar incident on a crowded train 25 years ago would probably have broken up the carriages which came off the rails, killing people.'

A British Transport Police (BTP) spokesman said: 'Officers are currently on scene at Wickford railway station in Essex following reports that the rear carriages of a train have derailed in an upright position at 2.12pm today. 

'We're responding alongside paramedics and the fire service. There are currently no reported injuries.'

A spokesman for the Department for Transport said: 'We are aware of a derailment involving a Greater Anglia train near Wickford, Essex.

'The train is upright, there are no reported injuries and investigators have already been deployed to the site.

'Our railways remain amongst the safest in the world and while incidents like this are extremely rare, when they do occur, they are taken very seriously.'