Four people were feared dead, a number of seriously injured and 80 walking wounded this afternoon after two carriages of the 12.10pm GNER King's Cross to Leeds high-speed train derailed and overturned.

Eight fire engines attended the scene of the crash, which happened at 12.23pm between Welham Green and Hatfield in Hertfordshire.

The main damage was said to have been done at the first class end of the eight-car train, with the buffet car one of those said to be lying on its side. Reports said its roof had been ripped off.

Emergency workers were treating the crash as a major incident.

At least eight casualties were taken to the QEII hospital in Welwyn Garden City.

Rail chiefs warned of major disruption to services on the East Coast main line following the derailment.

The Flying Scotsman, which was due to arrive in York at 5.30pm today, was said to be unaffected by the accident.

A Railtrack spokesman said this afternoon: "There have been confirmed casualties but to what extent we do not know yet."

Emergency number for those concerned about relatives or friends: 0845 944 1551