Virgin train derails in Cumbria, passengers injured

LONDON, Feb 24 (Reuters) A London-to-Glasgow Virgin train derailed in the northwest of England and emergency services said there were numerous injuries but no immediate reports of fatalities.

''We know there are quite a few walking wounded and some with suspected broken legs and head injuries. We have not had any reports of fatalities,'' said Claudine Shacklock, a spokeswoman for the North West Ambulance Service last night.

''The second carriage has actually gone down an embankment and there are six to eight casualties trapped in that carriage,'' she said, adding that the train derailed near the village of Grayrigg in the Lake District.

She said the six-carriage train was carrying 180 passengers from London's Euston station to Glasgow and that the ambulance service got first reports of the incident at 8.16 p.m.

''It's our understanding there are a number of people injured on the train,'' said Brian Mitchelhill of Cumbria Fire and Rescue. ''We think there are numerous injuries.'' Reuters PDS RN0406