A train driver was seriously injured and 16 passengers taken to hospital after a train crash in Salisbury yesterday evening.

Around 100 passengers were evacuated after the 17.20 South Western Railway service from London Waterloo to Honiton crashed into the back of the 17.08 Great Western Railway service from Portsmouth Harbour to Bristol Temple Meads.

The accident happened at around 6.46pm yesterday after the GWR service was derailed after hitting an object on the line in the Fisherton Tunnel.

British Transport Police said that while a number of people had been injured thankfully no one had died.

BTP said in a statement: "We were called to Fisherton Tunnel in Salisbury at 6.46pm tonight following reports of a train derailment which involved two passenger trains colliding.

"Officers are continuing to respond to the incident alongside our emergency service colleagues and the line is expected to be shut for some time.

"Thankfully there have been no fatalities however a number of people have been injured and a casualty centre has been opened at a nearby church.

"Most of these people are walking wounded however a small number, including the driver, have been taken to hospital where their injuries are being assessed.

"A major incident has been declared and this has been a large scale, multi-agency response working closely alongside our colleagues in Wiltshire.

"We will remain on scene throughout the night working to establish the full circumstances of how this incident came to happen."

The people who were injured were taken to Salisbury District Hospital, while walking wounded were cared for at a casualty centre set up at St Mark’s Church in St Mark's Avenue, Salisbury.

A Network Rail spokesperson said: “At around 7pm this evening, the rear carriage of the 1708 Great Western Railway service from Portsmouth Harbour to Bristol Temple Meads derailed after striking an object on its approach to Salisbury station.

“The derailment knocked out all of the signalling in the area. Subsequently, the 1720 South Western Railway service from London Waterloo to Honiton then collided with the Bristol train.

“There are reports of injuries and the emergency services are on site along with railway first responders.”

Network Rail said: "Emergency services are responding to an incident at Fisherton Tunnel near Salisbury Station, involving the 1708 GWR service between Portsmouth Harbour and Bristol Temple Meads and the 1720 SWR services from London Waterloo to Honiton.

"The line is closed as they carry out their work, and we appreciate our customers' patience as we are doing all we can to help as they respond to the incident."

Paul Mills, the Deputy Chief Constable of Wiltshire Police, said the Rail Accident Investigation Branch would investigate the cause of the accident.

There will be no trains running through Salisbury today. Replacement bus services will be available for services either side of Salisbury.

The railway will be closed in Salisbury and will affect SWR services between Exeter and Basingstoke. Passengers are urged not to travel on this part of the network.