A major incident has been declared in Cumbria after an early morning train derailment brought the West Coast Main Line to a grinding halt.
Emergency teams rushed to the scene near the quiet village of Shap after an Avanti West Coast service from Glasgow to Euston left the tracks shortly after 6am.
Emergency Response and Passenger Safety
Authorities have confirmed there were no injuries among passengers or staff, though emergency services remain on site to ensure everyone is safely escorted from the train.
Paramedics, police, and fire crews are working together in what officials have described as a “complex but controlled evacuation.”
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander confirmed the incident while speaking on LBC Radio.
She said: “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.”
The derailed service was the 4.28am Avanti West Coast train from Glasgow to London Euston. The company said the derailment occurred around 6.10am, prompting an immediate suspension of services north of Preston.
Disruption Expected for Days
All lines between Preston and Carlisle are currently blocked, with Network Rail warning of severe travel disruption likely to continue “for several days.”
Avanti West Coast issued a statement, confirming: “At 06.10hrs today, 3 November, the 04:28 Avanti West Coast service from Glasgow to Euston was reported to have derailed at Shap in Cumbria.
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. pic.twitter.com/z7ZN4ZPfnz
— North West Ambulance Service (@NWAmbulance) November 3, 2025
Our priority is the well-being of everyone who was on 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 there will likely be significant disruption to our network for several days.”
The North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) also confirmed that medical crews were dispatched immediately.”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 engineers have begun investigating what caused the train to come off the tracks. Early reports suggest the damage may be extensive, though officials are cautious about speculating until full assessments are complete.
A Network Rail spokesperson added: “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 Inquiries 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.”
Local Impact and Next Steps
Residents in Shap described seeing “a huge number of emergency vehicles” racing through the area as dawn broke. Some passengers were seen being escorted to nearby coaches for onward travel.
With investigations ongoing and lines expected to remain closed, travelers are urged to avoid unnecessary journeys through the region and check for updates before setting out.
While the cause remains under investigation, today’s derailment has once again highlighted the vulnerability of Britain’s rail infrastructure — and the swift, coordinated response needed when the unexpected happens.
