Major incident declared as Avanti train derailed travelling on a route affecting Wolverhampton - emergency services at the scene in Cumbria

North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) said it had sent paramedics to the scene near the village of Shap in Cumbria, which is on the West Coast Main Line.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said a major incident had been declared but “there are no reported injuries”.

She told LBC Radio: “I have been informed of this incident within the last half-an-hour or so.

“We will work swiftly to make sure that people can get off the train safely.”

National Rail said the incident happened between Penrith and Oxenholme, affecting trains running between Carlisle and Preston.

Major disruption is expected until the end of the day.

Four people suffered minor injuries following the train derailment, North West Ambulance Service said.

Ambulance workers assessed 87 people but “no one required further hospital treatment”, it added.

It said that the major incident declared on Monday morning has been “stood down”.

“We can now confirm that we have stood down from major incident status and are withdrawing resources from the scene,” the service said.

“Our colleagues have assessed a total of 87 patients, with only four suffering minor injuries.

“No one required further hospital treatment, and all were discharged from the nearby rest centre.

“An operation remains in place with our partners as they continue to recover the scene.”

NWAS said: “Following reports of a train derailment near Shap in Cumbria, the trust has dispatched resources to the scene.

“We are currently assessing the situation and working with other members of the emergency services.

“Our priority is to ensure people receive the medical help they need as quickly as possible.”

British Transport said their officers were at the scene and that there were no reported casualties and that all passengers had been led off the train.

Train firm Avanti West Coast said on social media: “All lines are blocked north of Preston due to a derailed train between Penrith North Lakes and Oxenholme Lake District.

“Please do not attempt to travel north of Preston today.”

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander told LBC Radio said work would be carried out swiftly to get people off the derailed train in Cumbria but there are no reported injuries.

She said: “I have been informed of this incident within the last half an hour or so.

“I know that a major incident has been stood up. There are no reported injuries.

“We will work swiftly to make sure that people can get off the train safely.

“I will be remaining in constant touch with the train operating company and the railway accident investigation branch.”

An Avanti West Coast spokesperson said: “At 06.10hrs today, 3 November, the 0428 Avanti West Coast service from Glasgow to Euston was reported to have derailed at Shap in Cumbria.

“Our priority is the wellbeing of everyone who was board and getting them safely off the train. We are assisting emergency services who are on the scene.

“As a result, all lines are blocked north of Preston. Please do not attempt to travel north of Preston today.

“We’ll provide further information in due course, but it is likely there will be significant disruption to our network for a number of days.”

Tim Farron, MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale and former Liberal Democrat leader, said: “I’m deeply concerned to hear the news coming out of Shap this morning.

“My thoughts are with everyone on board the train and the emergency service workers who are now on the scene.”

British Transport statement:

British Transport Police said in a statement on social media: “Officers were called at 6.15am today to reports of a train derailment near Shap, Cumbria.

“Thankfully, there are no reported casualties and passengers have been safely escorted from the train.

“Officers remain on scene alongside emergency services responding to the incident.”

'Troubling' incident - Rail Union comment

Rail union TSSA has described as ‘troubling’ the derailment of an Avanti West Coast train travelling from Glasgow to London near Shap in Cumbria - which has been declared a major incident. 

The union praised the emergency services, including British Transport Police, after it emerged that there were no serious injuries among those on board, said to number around 85 passengers.  

However, the union – which represents many members both at Avanti and Network Rail, said a derailment was always a highly serious matter and would need thorough investigation in the days and weeks ahead.  

Commenting, TSSA General Secretary, Maryam Eslamdoust said: “The derailment of the Avanti West Coast train near Shap is very serious and will require thorough investigation. 

“It’s always troubling and extremely dangerous when a train leaves the track under any circumstances, so it is right that a major incident has been declared.   

“Thankfully it seems there and no major injuries and we thank the emergency services, including British Transport Police, for all they are doing for those who were on board. 

“Our union has thousands of Network Rail members who work incredibly hard every day of the year, making sure our railways run safely. This is always our number one priority. 

“There will be significant disruption in the days ahead on the West Coast Mainline, but our members know this is necessary to we can have answers and better understand what led to this incident in Cumbria.

This is a breaking news story, we will bring you more updates as we get them.

'Teffifying incident' - Scotland's First Minister

Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney said the derailment would have been a “terrifying experience” for those involved.

He said he was “very concerned” about the derailment of the Avanti train, which had been travelling from Glasgow to London on Monday.

Stressing that “rail travel is normally a very safe way of travel”, the First Minister told the PA news agency that “when these incidents happen, they are matters of enormous concern and require detailed investigation”.

He added: “On the information that I have available to me just now, there do not appear to have been any injuries for the passengers who were on the train, but this will have been an absolutely terrifying experience to have witnessed, so it’s important that all support is in place for everyone that’s affected.”

Mr Swinney also said the Scottish Government was in touch with the UK Government “about the steps that are being taken to investigate the incident and also to support those affected”