Several people have been injured after two trains collided in a "major incident" near Salisbury station.
One carriage derailed at Fisherton Tunnel shortly before 7pm on Sunday, and another service crashed into it. All those on board have been led to safety.
One of the train drivers was trapped in his cab but has since been freed and taken to hospital. He is not seriously injured, the PA news agency reported.
A passenger, Demitri, told Sky News he was "pretty scared" as he "heard a big crash" and "saw flames".
He added: "After that the lights went out and the position of the train was like 45 degrees tilted to the right."
Local resident Tamar Vellacott, 25, said the collision created a "long rumbling sound like thunder".
Sky News correspondent Alex Rossi said trees had been blown over by "strong autumnal winds".
A "number" of people were injured but no one died, British Transport Police said. Earlier, PA said "up to a dozen" had been hurt.
At a news conference, British Transport Police Inspector Mullah Hoque said "a number of people have been injured" and "most of these people are walking wounded".
He added that "thankfully there have been no fatalities" but a "small number of people, including the driver, have been taken to hospital where their injuries are being assessed."
Inspector Hoque also said the "line is expected to be shut for some time" and officers will "remain on the scene throughout the night working to establish the full circumstances as to how this incident came to happen."
Network Rail said the rear carriage of the 17:08 Great Western Railway service from Portsmouth Harbour to Bristol Temple Meads "derailed after striking an object on its approach to Salisbury station".
It added: "The derailment knocked out all of the signalling in the area. Subsequently, the 17.20 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."
A casualty centre has been set up at St Mark's Church in St Mark's Avenue in Salisbury.
Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service described it as a "major incident" and said 50 firefighters had been sent to the scene.
Assistant Chief Fire Officer Andy Cole said a "thorough search" has been carried out of the train carriages and around "100 people have been evacuated", adding it is believed there are not any further casualties on board.
He said the fire service will "shortly be scaling down" their response but will keep some resources on the scene.
Alex Rossi described the emergency services' response as "significant".
"At least five fire engines and as many as 10 ambulances are on the scene," he added.
"Overhead, the sound of a police helicopter and a drone can be heard, as the emergency services survey the area for damage."
The Rail Accident Investigation Branch said it was "deploying inspectors to the site".
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps tweeted: "We need to understand how this happened to prevent in the future."
Manuel Cortes, general secretary of the Transport Salaried Staffs Association, said: "This is a very sobering reminder about why safety on our railways is always paramount."
Latest Stories
-
Government to consolidate cash waterfall revenue collection accounts
10 mins -
Otumfuo is Kotoko’s biggest problem – Nana Agyemang
15 mins -
Bawumia travels to Italy and Vatican State
28 mins -
Bellingham wins Laureus Breakthrough award
57 mins -
GPL: Berekum Chelsea beat Medeama to go fifth
1 hour -
Debt Restructuring: Government to reach agreement with IPPs in May
1 hour -
It’s time for Ghana to move from NPP and NDC – Abu Sakara insists
1 hour -
NCCE launches 2024 Annual Constitution Week in Kumasi
1 hour -
Dumsor: Yvonne Nelson criticises Akufo-Addo for taking Ghanaians for granted, proposes another vigil
1 hour -
GFA appoints Zito, Preko and Amadu to take charge of newly-formed male national teams
2 hours -
Government committed to enhancing the condition of roads in Kumasi – Asenso-Boakye
2 hours -
Today’s front pages: Tuesday, April 23, 2024
2 hours -
Siblings remanded over alleged missing penis
2 hours -
174 countries to gather in Ottawa for pivotal talks on plastic pollution
2 hours -
6 tiny tricks that make you immune to disappointment
2 hours