An investigation has been launched into an 80mph train crash that caused widespread disruption on a major Norfolk route.

The Rail Accident Investigation Branch has begun inquiries into the incident that took place in Thetford last month.

The train travelling between Liverpool Lime Street and Norwich derailed at around 8.53pm after colliding with a fallen tree at 83mph.

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Eastern Daily Press: The train crashed between Thetford and Harling RoadThe train crashed between Thetford and Harling Road (Image: Denise Bradley)Eastern Daily Press: Glass smashed at the front of the carriageGlass smashed at the front of the carriage (Image: Denise Bradley)

There were 31 passengers and 2 staff on the train with one person suffering a minor injury.

The derailment caused a huge emergency service response with officers from Norfolk Police and the British Transport Police as well as eight fire crews and the same number of ambulances attending the scene.

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An engineer at the scene told BBC Radio Norfolk: “Everyone on board had a very lucky escape.”

The investigation will now attempt to understand the sequence of events that led to the incident.

It will also focus on the future risk of trees falling onto the tracks, the safety of the cab during the collision, and any "underlying management factors".