Sussex coast lines reopen after person hit by train near Worthing

Lines between Worthing and Hove have reopened after a person was struck by a train earlier today, according to Southern Railway [1]. The incident prompted the isolation of traction power to the electric third rail, allowing British Transport Police, ambulance crews and Network Rail emergency response teams to carry out investigations and assist those at the scene, according to [1]. Emergency services have since concluded their work and handed the railway back to Network Rail to restore power and reopen all running lines, [1] states. All lines between Worthing and Brighton have now reopened and services are beginning to resume, though the operator cautions that trains and crews have been "severely displaced" across Sussex and the South Coast, meaning disruption will continue into the evening. Southern is advising passengers travelling across the West Coastway to allow at least an extra 30 minutes to complete journeys, warning that services remain subject to delays, cancellations and short-notice revisions, and that passengers may need to change trains to reach their destination, according to [1]. Through running is resuming at intermediate stations including Hove, Aldrington, Portslade, Fishersgate, Southwick, Shoreham-by-Sea, Lancing, East Worthing, Worthing, Durrington-on-Sea, Goring-by-Sea and Angmering, per [1]. On the Littlehampton to London Victoria route, services are beginning to run via booked routes, though occasional diversions via Horsham or short-turnings at Brighton may still occur. Brighton to Southampton Central services are "stepping back up to run throughout", but some trains may terminate or start short of their destinations. Brighton to Portsmouth Harbour and Chichester services are being reinstated gradually as train units and drivers become available, [1] says. Southern notes that late-running trains may run with altered stops or terminate early, to allow controllers to reposition trains and crew back into their evening diagrams. Ticket acceptance is in place at no extra cost on alternative routes, and passengers are urged to check live departure boards before travelling, according to [1]. Those affected by the incident are being pointed to the Samaritans helpline on 116 123, [1] notes. Passengers delayed today may be entitled to compensation and are advised to keep their tickets and note journey details to support any claim, per [1]. Separately, [1] records an unrelated speed restriction over an embankment between Edenbridge and Godstone, after reports of a rough ride led Network Rail engineers to identify an embankment issue. Trains in that section face delays of up to 20 minutes in either direction while strengthening work continues, expected to last until Sunday 13 December, according to [1]. This is a distinct, pre-existing issue and not connected to the Worthing–Brighton incident. What to watch next: whether Southern's evening timetable fully normalises on the West Coastway, and whether British Transport Police release further details on the person struck by the train.