THE rail line through Salisbury is expected to be closed until Monday, November 8 for the investigation into the train crash at Fisherton Tunnel.

British Transport Police are leading the investigation into Sunday's rail collision between two trains operated by South Western Railway and Great Western Railway.

British Transport Police detectives have begun an investigation into what caused the train collision in Salisbury.  

At around 6.45pm, 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 as they both entered the Fisherton Tunnel in Salisbury.

It was initially believed the first train had struck an object in the tunnel, damaging signalling, but BTP now says there is "nothing to suggest" this had happened. 

It now appears the trains were travelling in the same direction but on different tracks and collided at a Y-shaped junction approaching the tunnel, with one hitting the side of the other, causing it to derail.

BTP said: “Both trains were travelling in the same direction and one train struck the side of the other, causing it to derail whilst in the tunnel. The front few carriages remained upright while the back tipped on their side.

“Specialist officers and detectives remain on scene in Salisbury and we are working closely alongside the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) and the Office of Rail and Road to establish exactly how these two trains came to collide.

“We are keeping an open mind but at this early stage there has been nothing to suggest the train struck an object or that there was any significant delay between the trains colliding and then one derailing.

“92 passengers were on both train services. Around 30 people attended a casualty centre which was set up in a nearby church, the majority of who were walking wounded and assessed at the scene.

“This has been a large scale, multi-agency operation and I would like to pay particular to thanks to our emergency service colleagues for their efforts in safely evacuating passengers, and to the many members of the local community who reached out with offers of help.”

The train driver employed by South Western Railway sustained “life-changing” injuries in the crash and is said to be in a stable condition at University Hospital Southampton.

In a statement, Salisbury District Hospital said: “Following the derailment in Salisbury last night, we can confirm that 13 casualties were treated at SDH.

“Four casualties were admitted, one patient discharged and three remain as inpatients and are in a stable condition. Thanks to all our staff that responded with both compassion and care.”

The SWR website says that all lines between Salisbury and Andover and Salisbury and Romsey are blocked however replacement buses are operating.

GWR reiterated that the line between Salisbury and Romsey will remain closed "until further notice". Train journeys will be disrupted between Westbury, Southampton Central, Portsmouth Harbour and Brighton.

Customers travelling from South Wales, Bristol or Bath towards the South Coast may use their ticket on services to Reading and change there for CrossCountry services to Southampton Central.

Customers for Fareham and Portsmouth stations should change at Basingstoke for South Western Railway services to these destinations.

Customers travelling from Portsmouth stations and Fareham to Bath, Bristol or South Wales may travel on South Western Railway services to Basingstoke and change there for Great Western Railway or CrossCountry services to Reading.

From Reading there are frequent Great Western Railway services towards Bath, Bristol and South Wales.

Customers travelling from Southampton Central to Bath, Bristol or South Wales may travel on CrossCountry services to Reading.

Customers may also travel on South Western Railway services to Basingstoke and change there for Great Western Railway services to Reading.

From Reading there are frequent Great Western Railway services towards Bath, Bristol and South Wales.