Avanti Train Derails After Landslide on WCML

An Avanti West Coast high-speed service from Glasgow to London derailed near Shap in Cumbria early Monday after striking a landslide, with its front carriage coming off the tracks during severe weather and darkness. Of the 87 people on board, including 10 staff, four sustained minor injuries but none required hospital treatment; all passengers were evacuated to a reception centre and many were later moved onward by replacement road transport. Emergency services and Network Rail responded in challenging terrain, initially declaring a major incident before standing it down once everyone was accounted for. All lines on the West Coast Main Line between Preston and Carlisle were blocked, and Avanti and Network Rail warned of significant disruption expected to last several days while the site is investigated and recovery work is carried out. Early indications point to a landslip likely caused by heavy rain, raising concern about the mountainous route's vulnerability to further weather-related incidents.