On 14 August 2026, a London-bound passenger train derailed while approaching Wickford in Essex, with its rearmost vehicle travelling for around 1.5 miles while derailed before the train came to a stand.

In this Flash Briefing, we look at the first information released by the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB), including the driver’s report of a kink in the track, evidence of a track misalignment, the sequence of events as the train approached Wickford and the damage caused during the derailment.

We also look ahead to the RAIB investigation, which will consider the condition and maintenance of the track, the effectiveness of measures intended to manage the risks of operating trains during hot weather, and the performance of the Class 720 train during the derailment.

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Signals to Danger is a UK railway history and safety podcast exploring rail accidents, incidents and the investigations that followed them. From historic railway disasters to modern rail safety and current events, each episode looks beyond what happened to understand why it happened, what was learned and how those lessons continue to shape the railway today.

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