A 'major incident' has been declared after a Glasgow to London train derailed.
Emergency services have rushed to the scene of the derailment in Cumbria today.
The 04:28 service from Glasgow came off the tracks around 06:10 am.
Passengers onboard escaped without serious injuries and are in the care of the ambulance service.
A probe is underway.
Key Events
Alternative trains for Avanti West Coast customers
Avanti West Coast have confirmed alternative travel for customers as all their trains north of Preston are cancelled on Monday and Tuesday.
Ticket acceptance is in place on alternative routes with the following operators:
Between London Kings Cross and Edinburgh with @LNER
Between Edinburgh and Glasgow Central with @ScotRail
Between Edinburgh and Birmingham New Street with @CrossCountryUK
Between Carlisle and Newcastle and Preston and York/Manchester Piccadilly with @northernassist
Passenger thought train had been hit by 'terrorist attack'
A terrified Scots passenger on board the derailed Cumbria train feared they had been hit by a terrorist attack as the lights went off as the vehicle grounded to a halt.
A major incident was declared after the 4.28am Avanti West Coast service from Glasgow to London came off the tracks in Cumbria at around 6.10am on Monday.
The high-speed train is said to have hit a landslide whilst travelling at 80mph before around 130 passengers who were onboard were removed.
John Topp, 33, was travelling to a meeting in London when he heard a "loud bang" before the train lost power.
READ MORE: Terrified Scots passenger thought derailed Cumbria train was 'hit by terrorist attack'
Do not travel on Monday or Tuesday
Avanti have told customers not to attempt to travel north of Preston on Monday or Tuesday.
Recovery work is ongoing to restore the infrastructure between Penrith North Lakes and Oxenholme Lake District after the train derailment.
Destinations north of Preston include Lockerbie, Motherwell, Glasgow, Haymarket, and Edinburgh.
Ticket acceptance is in place on alternative routes.
Please do not attempt to travel north of Preston on Monday 3 or Tuesday 4 November, as recovery work is ongoing to restore the infrastructure between Penrith North Lakes and Oxenholme Lake District after a train derailment on Monday 3 November.
— Avanti West Coast (@AvantiWestCoast) November 3, 2025
Our destinations north of…
Cumbria derailment no longer under major incident status
North West Ambulance Service said it had stood down from major incident status and was withdrawing resources from the scene.
A spokesperson 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.”
Four people have suffered minor injuries after a train derailed when it struck a landslide at 80mph.
Drone footage shows Glasgow train derailed in Cumbria
Drone footage has shown the the scene of the derailment in Cumbria today, where the Glasgow to London train came off the tracks around 06:10am.
The footage shows the front of the train which has been left mangled and smashed by the incident.
Emergency crews can be seen working on the derailed train, with one worker climbing into a door on the front of the carriage to investigate.
West Coast Main Line issues update on 'suspected landslip'
West Coast Main Loan has issued an update on the "suspected landslip" believed to have followed this morning's train derailment near Shap in Cumbria.
A statement from the transport body, released shortly before 12pm, confirmed all passengers have now been evacuated and there are no major injuries to passengers or staff.
The statement went on: "The incident followed a suspected landslip in the area which has been experiencing significant adverse weather conditions and extremely heavy rainfall continues to compound the issue.
"Our dedicated teams are working to get trains back up and running as quickly as we can. We are working with the Rail Accident Investigation Branch to establish the cause of the derailment."
The spokesperson said they are currently unable to run trains between Preston and Carlisle. Passengers are being urged to to check with their train operator or National Rail Enquiries for the latest information.
"This incident will cause disruption for the rest of the day but we are working to reopen the line as soon as it is safe to do so," the spokesperson added.
John Swinney calls for 'detailed investigation'
First Minister John Swinney has called for a "detailed investigation" as he said he was “very concerned” about the derailment of the Avanti train.
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”
Engineer provides update
Doug Morton, a Network Rail infrustructure maintenance engineer, has provided an update into the train derailment near Shap in Cumbria.
We are continuing investigations into a train derailment near Shap in Cumbria.
— West Coast Main Line (@networkrailWCML) November 3, 2025
Doug is part of the team on the ground investigating and he has provided an update from trackside.
Services are disrupted. Please check @nationalrailenq for updated travel information. pic.twitter.com/4UQqdiwdk0
Scots passenger in "very shocking experience"
A Scots passenger has detailed the "very shocking experience" of the train derailing as he slept.
Campbell Murray told BBC Radio Cumbria: "I was sleeping and there was a big jolt on the train, a real big screech and then all of a sudden the train came to a stop and the power went off.
"It was a very shocking experience.
"I think the best part about it was the driver and his 30 years of experience. I think he was a bit shook up but he did a good job [keeping everyone safe]."
Campbell is understood to be on a coach back to Scotland.
'Thorough investigation required'
Rail union TSSA, which represents many members both at Avanti and Network Rail, said the derailment would need a "thorough investigation" in the days and weeks ahead.
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.”
Four people suffered minor injuries
North West Ambulance Service have issued an update noting that four people have suffered minor injuries following the train derailment.
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."
Closer look at derailed train
Network Rail has issued an image showing a closer look at the train as they note that the derailment was reported by the train driver.
Passenger saw 'flash and bang'
James Burrow, a passenger on the train, has told the BBC about his experience.
He said: "There was a flash and a bang. People were confused but calm. At first we thought a car or something had hit the train."
Staff quickly informed them the train had derailed due to a "landslide", he says.
James has since cancelled his plans to go to Birmingham for the day, as other passengers wait for coaches to Preston.
New photo of derailed train
Another photograph has emerged of emergency crews working on the derailed train in Cumbria.
MSP 'relieved' there were no injuries
Scottish Conservative MSP Annie Wells has said she is "relieved" to hear there were no injuries suffered in the derailment.
She wrote on X: "Very relieved to hear that everyone is safe following the derailment of the Glasgow to London train near Shap this morning. My thanks to the emergency services and all those helping passengers at the scene and nearby."
No 'significant injuries' suffered
The North West Ambulance Service has noted that none of the 85 passengers or staff suffered "significant injuries".
A second statement read: "North West Ambulance Service declared a major incident just before 06:30 this morning following reports of a train derailment near Shap, Cumbria, on the West Coast mainline.
"We have a full range of resources on the scene, including our Hazardous Area Response Team, and are triaging and offering welfare to all involved in the incident.
"Fortunately, we don’t believe anyone has suffered any significant injuries. There are approximately 85 passengers on board, plus train staff who are now being evacuated from the train."
Local MP reacts
The MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale, Tim Farron, has said he is "deeply concerned" on his X account after hearing the news of the derailment.
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.
— Tim Farron (@timfarron) November 3, 2025
Paramedics rushed to the scene
North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) said it had sent paramedics to 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.”
Investigation underway
Network Rail has said that an investigation has been launched following the derailment.
A spokesperson said: “We’re investigating a train derailment near Shap in Cumbria following a report by a train driver.
“There are no reports of injuries and we’re working to safely move the passengers off the train. We will provide further updates as soon as we can.
“At present, we’re unable to run trains between Preston and Carlisle. We’re urging passengers to check with their train operator or National Rail Enquiries for the latest information.
“We’re very sorry to those whose journeys have been impacted this morning and appreciate your patience while we work to reopen the line. Our top priority is the safety of passengers and staff on the West Coast Main Line.”
No casualties
British Transport Police have said the passengers have been safely removed from the train, adding there are no reported casualties.
"Officers were called at 6.15am today to reports of a train derailment near Shap, Cumbria.," it said in a statement. "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."
Around 130 passengers taken to nearby hotel
Roughly 130 passengers have been taken to the nearby Shap Wells Hotel.
Shabeeh Hassan, director of the hotel, says the commuters arrived from 07:30am and appeared to have no injuries.
He told BBC Radio Cumbria some of the passengers are in shock. "I'm doing as much as I can just to make them comfortable," he said.
Tickets being accepted on alternative routes
Avanti West Coast say tickets are being accepted on alternative routes between London Kings Cross and Edinburgh with LNER, between Edinburgh and Glasgow Central with ScotRail and between Edinburgh and Birmingham New Street with CrossCountryUK.
Travellers are being told they should not try to travel north of Preston.
Rail replacement buses operating
Rail replacement buses are operating between Carlisle and Preston, National Rail said.
Avanti West Coast has warned commuters not to travel north of Preston.
Significant disruption expected until the end of the day
Train firm Avanti West Coast said on social media: “Due to a derailed train between Penrith North Lakes and Oxenholme Lake District, all lines are blocked. We are strongly advising customers not to travel north of Preston today.
“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.”
Major incident declared
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.”
