Greater Anglia and Network Rail reported a second derailment in the UK, less than 24 hours after an incident in East Sussex. On Friday, a Greater Anglia Aventra train derailed near Wickford, Essex, crashing into an overhead wire but remaining upright. British Transport Police confirmed no injuries, while Greater Anglia advised against travel on the affected line. This follows Thursday’s derailment in East Sussex, where a Southern Railway service overturned near Lewes, injuring 20 people.

Hot weather, with temperatures exceeding 35C, is suspected to have caused track buckling. Network Rail had warned of potential disruptions due to heat-induced track deformation. Inspections by the Rail Accident Investigation Branch are ongoing, with no official cause yet.

Earlier Friday, two other safety inspections occurred on the network between Leamington Spa-Banbury and York-Scarborough. The UK railway system typically mitigates buckling via speed limits or track closures. A 2009 Cummersdale derailment linked to maintenance errors highlights recurring risks.

The second incident occurred amid extreme heat, where track temperatures can spike 20C above air temperature, risking sudden deformation. Services through affected areas remain halted until further notice.