No-fly zone around Lewes following train derailment

A temporary no-fly zone has been enforced around Lewes following the derailment of a Southern Rail passenger train just north of Lewes railway station

Airspace Restrictions

The British Transport Police put the restriction in place to keep the airspace clear for emergency responders and investigators. [1]

• Radius: Covers a 1.5 nautical mile radius around Lewes.
• Altitude: Extends up to 3,000 feet above mean sea level.
• Duration: In effect until 12:00 PM on Monday, August 17, 2026.
• Prohibited aircraft: Applies to all aircraft, including commercial drones, private planes, balloons, kites, and parachutists. Pilots must get explicit permission from the British Transport Police to enter. 

Incident Overview

The derailment occurred yesterday afternoon (Thursday, August 13) and involved a service travelling from London Victoria to Eastbourne. Three carriages overturned, trapping several people inside and prompting a major incident response. All 150 passengers have since been safely evacuated. Out of 20 people hospitalised, 18 have been discharged, while two remain in major trauma centres with serious but non-life-threatening injuries. 

Travel Impact

The rail line between Lewes and Haywards Heath remains closed until further notice while the Rail Accident Investigation Branch conducts its enquiry. Southern Rail is running replacement buses, though some alternative services are still operating directly through Lewes station.